JASON AKERMANIS.

Former Brisbane Lions player Jason Akermanis joined the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne in October 2006.

An experienced and hardworking player, Akermanis is famed for his flamboyant talents, his bleached-blonde hair, his handstands (which he carries out following a winning match), and for changing the colour of his boots at half time during every game, all of which make him an entertaining player to watch.

Akermanis is also known for his amazing goalscoring abilities. He is a previous winner of the AFL Goal of the Year award, and is able to kick goals from extraordinary angles. In a match in 2005, he kicked two goals within minutes of each other from almost the exact same spot: deep in the right forward pocket on the run.

Akermanis' career includes:

? Brisbane Lions Best and Fairest awards in 1999 and 2005
? The prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2001
? Premiership triple with the Brisbane Lions in 2001, 2002 and 2003
? 248 goals in 196 games for the Brisbane Lions (and counting)

Off the field, he is also very outspoken on issues concerning the Australian Football League and other codes, including famously threatening to switch codes to rugby union if the Lions signed former Kangaroos Football Club star Wayne Carey.

Akermanis is fluent in Auslan, often using it to communicate messages to his wife and her (deaf) family during matches. He is also studying Spanish and intends to learn Japanese.