Bulldog Jason Akermanis celebrates a goal during the AFL Round 01 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco. Slattery Images
Western Bulldogs star Jason Akermanis admits he might have to take a massive pay cut if he is to play on in the AFL in 2010.
Akermanis, 32, and the Bulldogs are yet to decide whether he continues playing next year, but the Brownlow Medallist said his younger teammates deserved to be paid more than he was because they represented the club’s future.
Asked on FoxSports on Monday night if he was prepared to accept a pay cut of 50 or 75 per cent, the 309-game veteran said: “That’s what you’d need to decide, absolutely.
“And I have no problem with that because that’s part of where I’m at with my football.”
Despite his skill and experience, Akermanis said he still only represented a short-term option for the Bulldogs.
“You’ve clearly got a guy who’s only going to play no more than 12 more months,” he said.
“You’ve got perhaps (former Sydney forward) Barry Hall, who could come in and these factors, and then you’ve got Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave and Shaun Higgins, guys who deserve more of the pie.
“While I may be in the top five players even now at the club, well, I’m only short-term and that’s a decision for the club to make.”
Akermanis has enjoyed three prosperous seasons with the Bulldogs after 12 seasons and 248 games with Brisbane, but he left the Lions on bad terms when his relationship with then-coach Leigh Matthews broke down.
He said he had since spoken with Matthews and was keen on repairing the relationship, particularly if the pair both worked in the media.
“I really didn’t like the thought that we had these unresolved issues and at least a conversation did open the chance for us to work better and we’ve worked (together) a few times (since),” he said.
“If the opportunity was there to work with him again it would be wonderful, because he’s got a great footy brain.
“That may take another conversation with him, just on a personable level, because that’s what I think it might take.”
Akermanis, renowned for his outspokenness, also said he liked to think he could avoid future controversies by watching what he said.
He said he had thought about going into coaching, but would need to take time out to weigh up his options once his playing career was over.
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