Acne Treatment Proves To Be A Weighty Pre-season Problem For Akermanis
The Age
Thursday February 7, 2002
Brisbane star Jason Akermanis is enduring his toughest pre-season ever, due to the debilitating side effects of a strong skin treatment.
The explosive speed, energy and endurance that helped earn Akermanis last year's Brownlow Medal and a premiership with the Lions has been greatly diminished since he began using the drug Accutane two months ago.
The club was aware he was taking the strong antibiotic but, like Akermanis, had no idea of the side-effects on such an elite athlete, until Leigh Matthews and his coaching panel noticed their star runner lagging behind in running drills he was leading this time last season.
``You get a lot (of acne) on your back and you get hit (during a match) and it can be pretty painful, so that's the reason for taking it," Akermanis said.
``But it's really affected my pre-season. I've said to a few people it's been the hardest pre-season I've had.
``It really plays a bit with your weight and you wake up sore. But I think the biggest thing is the fact you can't get the same amount of water in your blood, so you can't run as far, so it's really affected my endurance."
The treatment, recommended by a dermatologist, is the latest in a long line Akermanis has sought over the years.
It had been successful on his face, but the side-effects were so severe he has been left with no option but to stop the treatment.
The weight problem has been particularly frustrating. At 84 kilograms, Akermanis is six kilograms above his playing weight.
In just 10 days the Lions play their pre-season opener against Adelaide at the Gabba.
Akermanis is aware of the ``Brownlow curse" - the downturn in form that has affected some recent winners - but said he would not use this setback as an excuse if he struggled early in the season.
© 2002 The Age