Triple AFL premiership player with Brisbane and 2001 Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis will play for Wahgunyah against Thurgoona this Saturday, June 24 at Wahgunyah.
“We’re rapt to have Jason in Lions colours and he’ll be doing what he can to help our club go forward,” club president Darryl Hore told The Free Press.
“We've been very fortunate to pick up a Brownlow medallist for this game and we are very excited for our supporters, players and the community that we can have a guy of this calibre playing a game for the Lions.”
Mr Hore is hoping for a big crowd and urges football fans: “Put it in your calendar now, get down to the den and support us.”
The brilliant, explosive forward kicked 407 goals in his 325 AFL games, which consisted of 248 with the Brisbane Lions and subsequently 77 with the Western Bulldogs.
The fit 46-year-old still has plenty of tricks to display on the football field and the club would love to see plenty of football fans at the Wahgunyah Recreation Reserve this Saturday.
“Our crowd numbers have been dwindling and with the merger talks (Rutherglen and Wahgunyah) done and dusted, we’ve got to do things ourselves,” the president said.
“We’re trying these things, such as getting Aker, to get more people to support our team and the club – we want people to experience our ground, our facilities and the atmosphere which can be all the greater if people come along.”
There may also be a couple of football jumpers of Akers that will be auctioned off after the game.
“It will be a very exciting time for our club and players, and we would love to see as many of the community come along and enjoy a great day,” Mr Hore concluded.