Jason Akermanis attacks 'nasty man' Jim Stynes, saying he was treated like a 'demigod'

In an explosive radio interview with Mix 92.7 FM on Queensland's Sunshine Coast today, the former three-time Premiership-winning player said the public outpouring of sympathy and grief at the passing of Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, was "overkill.''


Stynes has been lauded as an inspirational player on and off the field, recognised for his youth work with the Reach Foundation.


He is expected to be honoured at a State funeral in Melbourne on Tuesday, before his ashes are returned to his home town in Ireland.


But Akermanis is unlikely to be among mourners, after telling breakfast hosts Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson Stynes "was a nasty man in his day. He had a nice turn of phrase and he made sure you knew how he felt.


In an explosive radio interview with Mix 92.7 FM on Queensland's Sunshine Coast today, the former three-time premiership player said the public outpouring of sympathy and grief at the passing of Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, was "overkill.''


Stynes has been lauded as an inspirational player on and off the field, recognised for his youth work with the Reach Foundation.


He will be honoured at a state funeral in Melbourne on Tuesday, before his ashes are returned to Ireland.


But Akermanis is unlikely to be among mourners after telling breakfast hosts Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson that Stynes "was a nasty man in his day. He had a nice turn of phrase and he made sure you knew how he felt".


"What amazes me is yes, he was a legend of the game and did a great job and wonderful things with kids, but you know there are a bunch of people who have done just as much who don't get any recognition. I just think it's a bit out of kilter.


"He got a state funeral - do all football players get a state funeral? There's something about it all that just made me feel uncomfortable. Jim's good but is he that good?''