OUTSPOKEN former player Jason Akermanis hopes to join Essendon as a development coach.

The 2001 Brownlow Medallist and three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player will reportedly interview for the role next week.

Akermanis' public comments frequently made him a lightning rod for controversy during his playing career and he had messy departures from the Lions and the Western Bulldogs.

For the last two seasons Akermanis has coached Victorian country side North Albury.

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"That's a long time ago now - half a decade ago since I played," Akermanis told Channel Nine of his many controversies as a player.

"My opinions and the way I go about things as a coach are completely the opposite to when I played.

"I'm a completely different person doing a completely different role." 

Akermanis last week said he had spoken with Adelaide officials about taking up a role with the Crows.