- Jason Akermanis is labeled as ‘soft’
- He left SAS Australia after just one day
- Footy claims he had swollen toes
Jason Akermanis was branded ‘soft’ after the AFL legend spent just one day at SAS Australia, insisting he ‘doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone’.
The former Western Bulldogs star and footy hardman joined fellow sporting legends Anthony Mundine, Boyd Cordner, Abbey Holmes, Matthew Mitcham and Peter Bol for the grueling reality TV show, fronted by SAS-trained officer Anthony Middleton.
Akermanis was buried in the Jordanian desert for 45 minutes before performing a task that involved jumping on and off a moving train.
However, the 46-year-old later complained of an injury to his toes and demanded medical attention at the base camp.
Middleton initially denied Akermanis’ request, telling his fellow officers, “No. 3 (Akermanis) has come to us and says he has a foot injury.
Jason Akermanis was labeled ‘soft’ after leaving SAS Australia after just one day
The footy big complained of swollen toes after a grueling first day in Jordan
But the camp doctor said he could see no sign of swelling or fracture
‘He sprinted onto the train. Jumped off the train. Sprinted towards me and then sprinted away. I didn’t see any limp at all. I think #3 is looking for a way out.;
Then he sent for Akermanis and said, “Let me have a look. You sprinted on the train just fine, jumped off the train.”
The camp doctor agreed with Middleton’s assessment, and when asked about the exact cause of the injury, the Bulldogs Great was unable to determine when exactly he suffered the injury.
‘Put your boots back on. Don’t want to try some basic pain relief? You are way ahead of yourself,” he said.
Akermanis replied, “I’m telling you there’s nothing we can do if it gets this painful. So either I get fired, or I have to do my… I say I physically can’t do it.’
Akermanis insisted that he did not have to prove anything to anyone after his dismissal
The footy big was sent back to his campmates, who were shocked to see him packing up his belongings.
Akermanis returned to the yard where he removed his number 3 badge and voluntarily walked away from the trial.
“You’ve gone soft,” Middleton said.
“I don’t need to show up on a course like that and prove anything to anyone else,” Akermanis said as he walked away.
