We were treated to an absolute ripper of a game of footy last Friday night as the AFL went into outer space.  An extra column was added to the score sheet with ET joining 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and final quarters.  Yes, an extra time period was required to separate the Collingwood and West Coast teams when the final (first final) siren rang around Subiaco.

Collingwood wasted chances in front of goal in the first term as the West Coast was held goalless and the game did not offer much in the way of high scoring in the second quarter as well.  The half time scores were West Coast 5.5.35 to Collingwood's 4.8.32.  For the second week in a row the Weagles led by 24 points in the third quarter but then a decision by West Coast coach John Worsfold to rest full back Darren Glass allowed the ‘Pies back in the game.  Travis Cloke goaled and big Rocca who had done little while Glass was on the ground goaled twice and the maggies were back in the hunt.

Collingwood's best, Alan Didak, goaled midway through the final term and then so did Dale Thomas and the ‘Pies were in front.  A couple of points to the Weagles, the scores were tied and SIRENNNNNNNNNNN.

Extra time was called for, 5 minutes each way, and the Collingwood team outplayed the tiring Weagles to win by 19 points.  TTM to the West Coast.

In Saturdays game the Kangaroos were looking to wipe out the memory of the previous weeks hiding while Hawthorn were cock-a-hoop and considered genuine premiership chances.  But the oft mentioned Shinboner spirit came to the fore.

Aaron Edwards with 4 goals and Brady Rawlings who held Hawthorn gun Luke Hodges to 8 touches were the standouts for the Kangaroos.  The Hawks tried to belt the shit out of Brent Harvey in the first half and in the first half it worked.  However Harvey kicked 4 second half goals and put the icing on the cake for the "Roos.  Again it was Hawthorns one dimensional forward line that cost them.  TTM Hawthorn.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Can you tell us a bit about Rod Ashman the special guest at this years Vietnam Airlines AFL Grand Final Brunch?

Regards,

H.J. from Hawthorn

Hi There H.J.,

Please see below from the man himself.

I have played a variety of competitive sports over many years, including Australian Football, cricket, volleyball, tennis, indoor cricket, basketball and indoor beach volleyball. My main involvement in sport has been in Australian Football whereby, prior to joining the Carlton Football Club at 18 years of age, I played at Eaglehawk Football Club in Bendigo.

The following list details my involvement and achievements at Carlton:

• From 1973 - 1986 (inclusive), I played 236 senior games and kicked 369 goals for Carlton Football Club.
• Played in 5 state games representing Victoria.
• 1981-1982 - Member of the Carlton Football Club back to back Premiership teams
• In 1981, I won 7 different media awards, including Channel 7's World of Sport Footballer of the Year, The Age Footballer of the Year and similar awards with the Sun, the Herald and the Truth's Cazaly Award.
• 1981 - Runner up in the Brownlow Medal and Carlton Football Club Best & Fairest.
• 1983 - Member of the Night Premiership (Carlton's first ever night premiership).
• 1984 - Runner up in the Carlton Football Club Best & Fairest.
• 1986 - Member of the Carlton Reserves Premiership team - retired as a player.
• 1987 - Appointed as Specialist Coach, member of Match Committee and Board Member of the Carlton FC. The club was successful in winning the Senior and Reserves Premierships.
• 1989 - Appointed as Reserves Coach and Senior Assistant Coach of the Carlton FC.
• 1990 - Coached the Carlton Reserves to a Premiership.
• 1993 - Installed as a member of the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame.
• 1994 - Retired from the Carlton Football Club, completing a 22 year stint at the Club.
• 2000 - May: Named in the Carlton Football Club Team of the 20^th Century.

Additional:

• 2005 - April: Participated in the Murray to Moyne Cycle Classic, a 24 hour 500km bike ride for charity.
• 2005 - August: Named in the Eaglehawk Football Club (Bendigo Football League) Team of the 20^th Century.
• 2006 - July: Have had a House named after me at the Primary School that I attended. (Eaglehawk Primary School)
• The Best Player Award in the Bendigo Football League 3^rd XVIII Grand Final is known as the "Rod Ashman Medal".

Not a bad C.V. says Digger.

Friday night sees table topping Geelong take on the surprising Collingwood in the first preliminary final.  This may not be the run away victory to Geelong that many think it will and Digger thought it maybe prior to hearing that it will be a wet, windy and cold night at the MCG.

Collingwood kicked on 10 goals in normal time against the Weagles last week and this would not be enough to beat Geelong.  In good conditions you need to kick 16 goals to be a chance against the rampaging Cats.  The weather can be a killer.

Let's look at some figures.  Geelong averaged 115 points per game and averaged 75 points against them while Collingwood averaged 91 points for and 90 points against during the 2007 season.  This suggests Geelong should win.  The weather can be a killer.

But hang on, another weather report says it will be 20 degrees Celsius during the day and fine night.  Weathermen can be killers.

Geelong had 9 players named in the All Australian team this week while the ‘Woods has none.  Will this be a motivating force for Collingwood?

All up, Geelong appears to have too much scoring power for Collingwood and should march into the big one next week.

Broadcast from 5.00pm at Vasco's unless the pub is invaded by Kiwis.

Saturday and off we go to AAMI Stadium to watch the Port Adelaide Power take on the underdog Kangaroos.  Port will start short price favourites and deservedly so.  The ‘roos have not started favourites since Skippy played on the wing but they keep bucking the odds.  These 2 last clashed in round two and the Power ran out narrow winners.  However, the Kangaroos have won 13 of the 17 encounters between the teams.

Digger reckons the Power have over achieved all year and would to see Mr. Smug choking on his cola.

Expect to see the Kangaroos try to belt the shit out of the Power and it will put the Power off, especially well known hot head Dean Brogan.  If Port can keep their cool the home ground advantage should see them through to the biggun but never write off the team formerly known as North Melbourne.

It will be a close, tight and tough affair and Digger sees the Roo's scraping home in a close one.

2 Victorian teams in the Grand Final, wow.

Digger