Aka's Axing May Lift Lions, Says Clarkson

The Age

Saturday July 22, 2006

RENEE SWITZER

THE axing of Brisbane Lions' Jason Akermanis could lift the team in tonight's game, says Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.

"They dropped him for our game earlier in the season and they had a really stirring victory against us," Clarkson said yesterday.

The Hawthorn coach has not ruled out adding the troubled Lion to the Hawks' list next year.

"We won't put a line through anyone until we've assessed our list and the lists of other clubs and work out what's available to us."

Akermanis was dropped for the round-seven match against Hawthorn for disciplinary reasons - the result was a 40-point win to Brisbane. He was again suspended on Thursday for tonight's match against the Hawks.

"Last time it impacted very well for them and they responded terrifically well and my suspicion is it will be very similar this week," Clarkson said.

"In some cases these sorts of things when they happen at a footy club can actually strengthen the resolve of the club but that's up to Brisbane, what we have to control is what we can do and how we best prepare."

Hawthorn has had its share of player problems with forward Mark Williams avoiding a prison term after pleading guilty to four driving charges this week.

Williams pleaded guilty to two charges of driving while suspended and to charges of exceeding the speed limit and careless driving.

Clarkson said he would not drop Williams for the illegal behaviour.

"There are issues that happen outside of football and they're unfortunate instances and he's remorseful for being involved ... but it would take a more serious offence than that for us to penalise the rest of the side for his indiscretion."

But Clarkson said it was important that players abided by team rules on and off the field.

"I think there's a pretty strong stance by all the football clubs at the minute that you can't have players in your group that don't comply on a regular basis with the structures that are put in by the leadership group and the coaching staff.

"We've seen some cases in the last couple of weeks where players have been omitted from sides because they haven't complied whether it's on field or off field and that's becoming more and more important in terms of the way you go about things.

"Sydney and Adelaide are probably the benchmark clubs in that regard and they've got outstanding discipline and that's why they're so successful.

"If you go back, though, nearly every premiership side in the last 100 years, it's because their sides have been very very disciplined units and have a marvellous work rate."