Only the St. Kilda mess warrants a mention in AFL news this week and there you go, I have mentioned it.

The first qualifying final last week was a ripper.  Not a high scoring shoot out but an entertaining game no less.  Even up until there was only 15 seconds left the Weagles looked a chance but injury and a never say die attitude from Port Adelaide beat them in the end.

Chris Judd was hampered by an adductor muscle injury and in hind sight should not have played and should have been replaced by the flat liner.  And no, that is not a lino floor.  When Ben Cousins went down with a hammy so did the Weagles chances.  And the crowd roared as one "put some ice on it".

In the end a 3 point win to the Power who have a rest this week while the Weagles have to cover injured players and front up again this week end.

Elimination final one saw a battle of the birds when the Ravens met the hawks at the Dome.  Our old mate Lance "Buddy" Franklin kicked his seventh goal of the match with 7 seconds left on the clock and that was all she wrote.  TTM to the Ravens and the Hawks outstanding season rolls on.

Adelaide had a ripper first quarter when they notched 7 goals and from then the game see sawed until Franklin's heroics.  Former Hawk skipper Shane Crawford played his best finals match ever while the defeated Ravens were well served by Tyson Edwards and Ken McGregor.

The second elimination final took place on Saturday night and Digger would like to report on the entire match however in a blow to democracy and Australian - New Zealand relations I only saw half of the final quarter.  Against popular opinion  the Collingwood team came out on top early while Sydney was slow to get any momentum going.  6 first quarter goals to the Magpies set the tone for the game and really they were never challenged except for just before half time.  The 2 pronged Magpie attack of Sean Rusling and Anthony Rocca could not be contained for any length of time and they kicked a combined 9 goals.  Adam Goodes was clearly the Swans best and he lacked mates.  TTM Sydney.

The second qualifying final Sunday was going to be the game that set the scene for the remaining finals race and what looked like a close tussle in the first quarter turned into a stroll in the park for Geelong.  In what could be a first, there was a bit of a brouhaha 45 minutes before the game when some ‘Roos decided to run through the Geelong huddle during on filed warm ups.  The Kangaroos took it right up to the favoured Geelong in the first quarter and only trailed by 5 points at the first change.  From then on it was all Geelong who ran out 106 point winners.

Again, Gary Ablett was superb and Jimmy Bartel showed that you do not need your appendix playing a great game two weeks after having his out.  There was not a bad player for the Cats while it was hard to find a goodun for the ‘Roos.  A crowd of just over 77,000 witnessed Geelong at their best.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Dear Doctor Digger,

Just what do your appendix do?

Jimmy from Geelong

Dear Jimmy,

Are you asking what do my appendix do or general appendix do.  For mine I reckon they quiver all afternoon waiting for a beer.  Mate, I am not a doctor but I reckon they do stuff all.  What do tonsils do?  FYI, the appendix average 100mm in length although they can range from 20mm to 200mm.  Medical literature shows that the appendix are not credited with much significant function.  So the answer is SFA.

Digger

Two elimination games this week and both should be good games and fun to watch.  Let's hope some dopey rugby game does not interfere with our viewing.

Friday night and the Collingwood team have traveled to Perth to take on the Weagles on the Weagles dung heap.  These teams have meet in 3 finals with the score on all.  Yes, they have played in a drawn final and won one each.

The Collingwood team would appear to have momentum but their recent wins have been against Sydney and no-one else.  They were beaten by Richmond just 3 weeks ago.

The West Coast have more finals experience but are struggling with injuries to Judd, Cousins and Kerr their key mid fielders.  Collingwood's keys will be the forward line and Rocca will need to fire again but it will be tough up against Darren Glass.  But who is going to kick goals for the Weagles given that they will need to post a score each time the ball enters the forward 50 as it will not come down as much without the mid field fire power.  Digger is at a loss to really sum up this game and pick a winner.

Leading to a slight advantage with the home ground/crowd support and the us against them mentality Digger suggest the Weagles are not spent yet and will have a small margin in victory.

In game 2, can the Kangaroos overcome their morale sapping thumping of last week and find something against the youthful Hawks.  If they cannot we will most likely be witnessing the final game for ‘Roo champ Glenn Archer.  Arch will need to lead from the front but Digger for one reckons he will not have enough mates.  The hawthorn team ooze class up forward when on song and Franklin, Roughead, Boyle and co. seem to have enough to see the Kangaroos out of the premiership race in straight sets.

Bring it on,

Digger