Outspoken former Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis will sensationally offer to return to the AFL club if no deal can be struck with the Western Bulldogs.

Akermanis stressed he only wanted to play for the Western Bulldogs and rejected the idea of joining any other Melbourne-based club.

The three-time premiership player and Brownlow Medallist is up for trade after this season's dramatic falling out with the Lions and, in particular, coach Leigh Matthews.

Akermanis announced last week he wanted to go to the Bulldogs, but the Lions have made it clear nothing is yet set in stone.

He still has a year left on his current contract with the Lions.

"If I have to, I'm a professional athlete, and I will fulfil my commitment if it doesn't work out," Akermanis said on the Nine Network's The Footy Show.

"I will go there and take whatever (medicine) I need to.

"Obviously my main choice is to go to the Western Bulldogs and I want that ... if I have to, I will.

"Let's do the deal, let's move on - because they don't want me there and I don't want to be there."

Akermanis said he "had a coffee" with Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.

He is now listed as a past player on the Lions' official website.

Meanwhile, Akermanis also warned Footy Show host Garry Lyon against showing any interest in the St Kilda coaching job.

There is speculation Lyon might be a contender, but Akermanis warned he would suffer the same fate as former Saints coach Tim Watson.

Like Lyon, Watson went from the media to the senior coaching role and only lasted two seasons.

"If you're thinking of going down this track, I want to remind you of one man - Tim Watson," Akermanis said.

"As good as you are as an observer, you cannot go from your seat to the hot seat and know exactly what is going on ... you will be straight in, straight out."

The failure of St Kilda's experiment with Watson means clubs now focus on experienced AFL head coaches or assistants with plenty of experience when recruiting for the role.

Collingwood assistant Guy McKenna and Sydney counterpart John Longmire are two likely candidates for the Saints job.

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