AFL legend Jason Akermanis contests highway speeding charge in court

Brownlow Medal-winning AFL legend Jason Akermanis has faced Ipswich Court for allegedly driving 40kmh over the limit, but he’s challenged the speed camera in question. Here’s what he claims.

Former AFL player Jason Akermanis pictured appearing at Ipswich court contesting a speeding charge. Ipswich Friday 28th October 2022. Picture: David Clark

A former Brisbane Lions superstar represented himself in a Brisbane Court today to contest a speeding charge, in which he allegedly drove 40km over the limit along the Cunningham Highway.

Brownlow Medal-winner Jason Dean Akermanis, 45, is charged with disobeying the speed limit (type 2 vehicle-related offence) by driving his car at 141km/hr in a 100km zone.

The former AFL player led a highly successful sporting career throughout the 1990s and 2000s, winning three AFL premierships for Brisbane and winning numerous accolades including a Brownlow Medal, two Merrett-Murray Medals and four All-Australian awards.

The police allege the sporting superstar was speeding along the Cunningham Highway in Mutdapilly at 10.38am on May 22, 2022.

On October 28, 2022, Akermanis represented himself at an Ipswich Magistrates Court hearing, and told the court he intended to challenge the accuracy of the device the police used to record his speed “among other things”.

“I think it’s worthwhile to challenge the validity of the actual gun considering the conditions – being raining, etc – downhill, 250 metres away,” he said.

Former AFL player Jason Akermanis pictured appearing at Ipswich court contesting a speeding charge. Ipswich Friday 28th October 2022. Picture: David Clark

Akermanis said that if he was driving less than 40km over the speed limit, that would downgrade the charge and he might not lose his licence.

“When asked if the police officer would lower the tolerance, he refused, which means that he’s telling you, your honour, that the gun is absolutely perfectly calibrated,” he said.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Margaret Bridger told the court the prosecution intended to call one witness, Senior Constable David Olsen, and tender police body-worn camera footage from when Akermanis was pulled over.

Magistrate Jason Schuburt told Akermanis the hearing would not be able to proceed today if he intended to challenge the accuracy of the device, as he hadn’t filed his intentions to do so with the prosecution.

Akermanis requested an adjournment so he could file the notice of intent, and the matter was adjourned to February 15, 2023, at Ipswich Magistrates Court for further hearing.

Originally published as AFL legend Jason Akermanis contests highway speeding charge in court