Border Mail |
MYRTLEFORD has accused Jason Akermanis of showing it no respect after Saturday’s one-point thriller at Bunton Park, sparking a savage response from the Brownlow medallist.
Myrtleford co-coach Brad Murray yesterday told The Border Mail the Alpine Saints were disappointed with Akermanis for showing poor sportsmanship after the game.
He said the AFL champion refused to shake hands with Myrtleford players after the visitors won by the narrowest of margins, a claim Akermanis vehemently denied.
Murray, who has just re-signed as co-coach with Leigh Corcoran for next year, said it had taken some of the gloss off his club’s second win for the year.
“There were a lot of people disappointed about it,” he said.
“I don’t think he showed us much respect.
“The league as a whole has worked really hard to develop that culture of playing hard on the field but shaking hands and having a beer after.
“Obviously he would have been pretty filthy with the loss, but I don’t think he really acknowledged us as a club.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys in our side who probably respected him a lot but lost a bit of that on Saturday.”
Akermanis was stunned by the allegations.
“It’s complete rubbish,” the 2001 Brownlow medallist said.
“We did nothing wrong and were very sportsmanlike, considering the situation.
“We were there to win a game of footy.
“They can have a cry if they like, but they are making a mountain out of a molehill.
“As a club, we’ve already moved on from that game but they are still carrying on.”
North Albury youngster Rory Feltwell had the chance to sink the Alpine Saints with a shot after the siren from outside 50 but fell just short.
The Hoppers led most of the day and held an 11-point lead at three quarter-time before being overrun in the dying stages.
