Border Mail |JASON Akermanis' standing as one of the greats of the game went to a new level last night when the North Albury coach was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.
The 2001 Brownlow medallist, dual Brisbane Lions best and fairest and triple premiership player was almost as well known for his outspokenness as his football ability by the end of his AFL career.
But his 325 games for Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs delivered more than their share of highlights, with his tremendous pace and skill making him lethal either as a midfielder or small forward.
It was Akermanis who clinched a tight 2002 grand final for the Lions against Collingwood with a brilliant overhead snap.
And he who sank the same opponent again a year later with five goals.
"It's great to be recognised,'' Akermanis said.
"I guess it's the culmination of the work put in over the past 30 years since the under-7s.
"There are some big names in the Hall of Fame and it's fantastic to be among them.
"Hopefully it's good for the Ovens and Murray and North Albury as well."
Akermanis was joined in entering the Hall of Fame last night by Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin, North Melbourne and Fremantle's Peter Bell, South Australian legend Bob Hammond, St Kilda champion Neil Roberts and South Melbourne superstar Austin Robertson jnr.
The game's all-time greatest goalkicker, Tony Lockett, was elevated to Legend status.
