Well a very slow week in AFL news this week, no drunken players, no drug problems and no player/coach distractions.  Even been a slow week at Carlton.  Does not give Digger much to write about.

"Quote, unquote"

"We are having our best preseason ever"

"The players are fitter than ever"

"Everything is going to plan and we expect to make the top eight"

"We are just taking it one week at a time"

"Player morale is at an all time high"

You can attribute the above quotes to anyone of the 16 coaches from the 16 AFL clubs.  That is how boring this week has been in AFL circles.

Continuing last weeks theme of players with first and surnames that are both Christian names, here we go with the same for another 4 clubs.

ESSENDON                                       HAWTHORN

Keppler Bradley                                   Robert Campbell

Alwyn Davey                                        Tim Clarke

Andrew Lee                                         Sam Mitchell

Matthew Lloyd                         Jordan Lewis

Scott Lucas                                          Thomas Murphy

Mal Michael

GEELONG                                          FREMANTLE

Joel Corey                                            Roger Hayden

Tom Harley                                          Ryan Murphy

James Kelly

Stephen Owen

From Digger's mail box comes a couple of suggestions for the formation of fantasy teams.  One reader writes that he would like to see a team of players whose names are colors and another reader wants to see Diggers aboriginal team.  Essendon will play the Aboriginal All Starts team in the pre season so that one is covered.  A team of colorful players will be with us in the next few weeks.  Write to diggerafl@yahoo.com.au with further suggestions.

One piece of news in football this week is that many local leagues in Victoria are either starting later this season or even considering not having a season due to the drought that is crippling Australia.

The grounds cannot be watered due to water restrictions and the surfaces will be way to hard to play on to protect the players from serious injury.  This is especially the go for grounds that have turf cricket pitches on them.

This could have dire effect on small country clubs as the footy club is the heart and soul of the community.  Let's play for rain.

Let's also hope that we have some more news for you next week.

Friday the 26^th of January is Australia Day.  Let's celebrate.

Digger