Border Mail |
JASON Akermanis has cast some doubt over his immediate playing future, with the North Albury coach admitting he has no idea when he’ll run out for the Hoppers again.
Akermanis, who has not played since round 8, yesterday ruled himself out of an appearance against Yarrawonga at the J.C. Lowe Oval on Saturday.
And he wouldn’t pencil in a return date, either.
“I’ve got no idea,” Akermanis said ahead of the Hoppers’ round 11 blockbuster.
“I’m still in full training, so there’s nothing to worry about there, but I’d rather coach at the moment.
“That was always going to happen and I think we’ll be better, moving forward, for it.
“We’ve got a full list to pick from at the moment and I’d rather work hard on what we’ve got.”
However, in better on-field news, Akermanis confirmed talented tall Josh Lloyd was progressing well after knee surgery and remained on track to play later this year.
Lloyd, one of North Albury’s pre-season stars, would add another dimension to an already imposing Hoppers’ forward-line.
“He’s getting closer but now it’s just a matter of waiting for the OK from doctors,” Akermanis said.
“It’s just a management issue, from here.
“Barring any setbacks I’d say he’ll be on track to play the minimum number of games to play finals.”
Lloyd was left devastated after tearing the anterior-cruciate and medial-collateral ligaments in his left knee after an accident at training in February.
Lloyd suffered the injury while changing direction during a simple training drill.
Akermanis wouldn’t be drawn on whether his side was “better” than the one that lost to the Pigeons by 45 points in round two, however, said it was undoubtedly different.
“Better isn’t the right word to describe it but things have happened since then,” he said.
“We’ve got different personnel available.
“Kade Brown is back, as is Rory Feltwell and Jarrah Maksymow has come into the team.
“Durbs and (Adam) Prior played their first game that day and Adam’s clunking everything at the moment.
“We just need to keep tidying up areas we’ve been sloppy in and get our game going early.”
Saturday’s clash starts at 2.10pm, with former Geelong star Brad Ottens expected to make his debut for Yarrawonga.
