■ This time of year on the sporting calendar is most interesting, for a number of reasons. The footy finals are on the horizon, racing starts to go up a gear and the international horses will be here before you know it. We have the added impact of the Olympic Games, starting this weekend, and cricket is just a few weeks away. The end of the home-and-away season in all levels of footy brings talk of the movement of players and the signings or sackings of coaches. Last week Albion announced Chris O’Keefe as its senior coach for 2017 and beyond. The dual Barry Priest medallist and premiership player and coach with Spotswood, returns to the WRFL after three seasons at Bungaree. He replaces Aaron Tymms, who leaves O’Keefe with the foundation to build a strong team. Albion has produced some outstanding juniors in recent years, like Josh Bench and Todd Finco, and has a bright future. O’Keefe will be a playing coach, not an easy task these days.
■ There are several rumours regarding other clubs and possible coaches, with Spotswood one of the most talked-about. Tom Langlands has stepped down after three seasons but will continue as a player, which is good news as ‘Motor’ is a gun player who will relish the freedom of not being the coach. The Woodsmen have also signed Murray Boyd, Elliot Wood and a number of their talented under-19s and expect to announce the new coach this week. I’m tipping it will be a well-known and successful local footy identity who will need no introduction.
■ Jason Akermanis was a guest at the Werribee pre-match breakfast last weekend, as two of his North Albury players were playing for the Tigers in the development league. The three-time AFL premiership player and Brownlow medallist certainly looked different – no hair highlights nor coloured beard – and he seems a changed man. I did many interviews with Jason during his time at the Bulldogs and it was obvious he had a large ego. I think he still does but has realised he had to change to be part of the real world. His answers to my questions last Sunday were a breath of fresh air … he was self-effacing and honest. He wants to coach at the elite level and is doing his apprenticeship. He’s in his fourth year at North Albury and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a move very soon.
