Top 3 can breathe easier knowing Aker is out | Thebigtip

And then there were 3...

Geelong, St Kilda and Collingwood will all sleep better knowing they don't have to contend with one of the greats of the game, whose history includes causing trouble for all these clubs.

In the 2002-2003 Grand Finals Akermanis was influencial in both of the Brisbane Lions defeats of Collingwood. The pies had no answer (other than Buckley) to his speed, strength and agility around the ground. In the 2003 Grand Final in particular Aker kicked 5 goals in addition to his 20 disposals and 3 marks. Then again in Round 22 of 2009 Akermanis and Johnson lit up Etihad in the final quarter to inflict a harsh blow on the Pies, relegating them to 4th on the ladder at the end of the season. Aker kicked 2 crucial goals, had 23 disposals and 6 marks to assist the Dogs to a 24 point win over the Pies.

In Round 6 of this year, when the Bulldogs played the Saints, Jason Akermanis statistically played an influencial game, despite the Dogs eventually going down by 3 points. He laid 6 tackles, the 3rd highest for his team, and had 19 disposals and 7 marks. Although he put little on the scoreboard, not many of the dogs did in the low scoring affair. Aker's best performance against the Saints was in the 08 season in round 11 where he kicked 6 goals, had 24 disposals and took 12 marks, as the Dogs safely put the Saints away.

The Dogs haven't played Geelong this year, and don't meet them until Round 20, but last year Aker kicked 3 goals and racked up 19 disposals on top of his 5 marks in their narrow loss to the Cats in the finals series. Akers pace in the forward line meant that Scarlett and Taylor had their work cut out for them. And when the Dogs defeated the Cats in Round 21, although Aker only kicked the 1 goal, he had 19 disposals, 7 marks and laid 6 tackles to assist the Dogs to their well fought victory.

Oh and on top of the damage he did to these teams he was the Dogs number 1 goalkicker in the 2009 season.

The reason Aker is able to have been so damaging against these and other teams is because he brings experience and skill to a side lacking each. Johnson certainly provides the leadership for the team, and Griffen and Cooney provide the run, but Akermanis' presence and influence on the field is more notable than that of Johnsons, and not just because of his hair colour. He inspires the supporters who in turn inspire the team.

Having Akermanis out for the Dogs is the equivalent of the Top 3 sides losing players like Didak, Bartell or Montagna. Perhaps not the 'most' influencial players in their respective sides, but certainly a crucial link in the chain that make their sides that little bit better than their opponents. Despite lulls in form for Akermanis, perhaps as a result of his age, he has always thrived in the heat of the moment, when the game is there to be won.

With players like Griffen, Gianciricusa, Cooney and Lake all being in great form, and the introduction of Hall the ranks, the boys from the West still pose a threat to other clubs come September. But it will be on the big stage that the influence of these players will be less felt as they will come up against opponents who are just as skilled and in form, and have more finals experience than the Dogs do. It's players like Akermanis who do things when it seems all hope is lost that inspire teams to press on.