The ABC say we're not interested; the Herald-Sun say we are LOL ???
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Tigers join the hunt for Akermanis
26 July 2006 Herald-Sun
Jim Wilson
THE race to snare Jason Akermanis has taken a twist, with Richmond coach Terry Wallace declaring the Tigers would be interested in attracting the disgruntled Brisbane Lion to Punt Rd.
But Wallace said any move to lure Akermanis would not come at the cost of an early draft pick.
"Jason is a terrific player and he'd be a great acquisition to our club, as he would be to a lot of other clubs," Wallace said yesterday.
"We would want a player of his calibre but we have a line where we are heading as a club. If that breaks the line, then we won't be doing it."
It's understood the Tigers have informally sounded out the 2001 Brownlow medallist.
Wallace's media-savvy approach would seemingly be the ideal fit for Akermanis, who is reluctant to give up his media interests.
It's believed he earns close to $150,000 in his contracts with newspapers, television and radio.
Along with Essendon's Kevin Sheedy, Wallace would be the most likely of the coaches to allow Akermanis to continue his media commitments.
But Bombers captain Matthew Lloyd has indicated any deal to attract Akermanis to Windy Hill would have strings attached.
He said there would be a concerted push by the club's leadership group and key officials to demand Akermanis adhere to certain off-field conditions.
Wallace said the Tigers leadership group would have an input into any deal to secure Akermanis.
But he wasn't concerned with Nathan Brown's comments this month on The Footy Show, when Brown indicated Akermanis wouldn't be welcome at Punt Rd and described him as unstable.
"Browny fires off about a few things like Jason does, and I reckon if they walked in the door, they'd shake hands and be pretty chummy," Wallace said. "I don't think that would be much of an issue."
Wallace said Brown had pulled up sore in recent weeks in his comeback from a broken leg.
But the Tigers coach has bigger worries and admitted a decision on Matthew Richardson's season might have to be made sooner rather than later.
The spearhead is expected to train today with the main group for Saturday's MCG clash with St Kilda, but his game has been restricted in his three matches back from a broken wrist.
"He hasn't been able to impact at all and I don't think he's been great value to the team over those games," Wallace said.
"I'm hoping he'll show he's continuing to develop and grow but there's no guarantees."
The Saints are giving nothing away on Justin Koschitzke, who's hoping to make his return to senior football against the Tigers, opting for closed training sessions this week.
"Our spies are telling us we can't get in either but obviously we'll all do our homework as the week goes on," Wallace said. "We'll try and speak to his grandmother's brother's uncle."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19916141%255E20322,00.html
