BENDIGO Football League club Castlemaine has distanced itself from the controversial radio comments made by Jason Akermanis about the late Jim Stynes.
Akermanis has signed to play a one-off BFL game for the Magpies against Kangaroo Flat at Castlemaine's Countrycars.com.au Oval on May 5.

Magpies' president Tony Walsh said today Akermanis would still play for the Magpies, but the club was distancing itself from the comments made by the Brownlow medallist and triple Brisbane Lions premiership player following the death of Stynes on Tuesday morning.

Speaking on Sunshine Coast radio station Mix 92.7FM yesterday, Akermanis labelled Stynes as "nasty'' and declared his state funeral was "overkill'', before later apologising for his comments.

"We're distancing ourselves from that issue and I don't think it needs any more air time," Walsh said.

"I think the family should be left alone to grieve, so we won't be commenting on it.

"Jason will still be playing the game for us on May 5. It's a good opportunity to get a well-known AFL player to help get a bit of interest back around the club again, so it's all still going ahead."

By Luke West

Article first appeared www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au 23 Mar, 2012