Editing Jason Akermanis (section)

==Early life==
Akermanis was born in [[Mildura, Victoria]], to a Canadian father John Akermanis, and an Australian mother Shona Carswell,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120628001255/http://www.afl.com.au/More/CommunityPrograms/Multicultural/MulticulturalTeamofChampions/tabid/19376/Default.aspx Multicultural team of champions] – Australian Football League. Published 27 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.</ref> but moved to [[Brisbane]] at 9 years of age.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jason Akermanis, a colourful life|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jason-akermanis-a-colourful-life-20100601-wt1d.html|publisher=The Age|date=1 June 2010}}</ref> Upon arriving in Queensland in 1986, Akermanis signed up to play for the [[Mayne Australian Football Club|Mayne]] under-10s side.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/retrogram-warwick-green-digs-into-archive-to-find-afl-stars-in-junior-football-photos/story-fni5f22o-1226957775360 Retrogram: Warwick Green digs into archive to find AFL stars in junior football photos]</ref>

When he was 13, Akermanis discovered that he was not the son of his mother's former partner, John Akermanis. His biological father was Denis Dezdjek, a mechanic from Mildura with whom his mother had had an affair.<ref>{{cite news|title=It's pretty bloody sad: Jason Akermanis' dad|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/its-pretty-bloody-sad-jason-akermanis-dad/story-e6frg1xu-1225895225239|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410124614/http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/its-pretty-bloody-sad-jason-akermanis-dad/story-e6frg1xu-1225895225239|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2015|publisher=Herald Sun|date=21 July 2010}}</ref> He was educated at [[Wavell State High School]] then at [[St. Joseph's Nudgee College]] and played football with the [[Mayne Football Club]] in the [[Queensland Australian Football League|QAFL]] where he was spotted by [[Brisbane Bears]] talent scouts. He completed year 12 at high school in 1995, during his first year with the Brisbane Bears.