We are not far away from the start of, firstly the pre-season Cup and then onto the 2007 AFL Premiership season.  In the annual Essendon v Indigenous All Stars to be played this Friday night in Darwin there has been a lot of talk about who is not playing rather than who is playing.

Sydney Swan duo, Michael O'Loughlin and dual Brownlow Medalist Adam Goodes will not be playing as they are deemed not to be good enough condition at this stage of the year.  Coach Michael "Magic" McLean  says he wants all players to be capable of playing a minimum 10 minutes again and the Swans have said that O'Loughlin is only good enough for 5 and Goodes 7 minutes.

Perhaps they could follow the lead of Docker Jeff Farmer who while not playing is paying his own air-fare to Darwin to provide encouragement to the All Stars.  Others who are rumored not to be playing are Lance "Buddy" Franklin from Hawthorn and West Coast Eagle duo, David Wirrpanda and Ashley Sampi.

Commandant Andrew announced Thursday that Foxtel are now back on board in the televised games of AFL this year.  Whoever wins out of this is not clear to Digger as 8 games were to be free to air which is now 4 and 4 on Foxtel which is a pay TV station.  Money, money, money, it's a rich mans world.

For Digger, Foxtel is the only winner.

The AFL teams are up bush this week as part of the "Community Camps" initiative.  They train at local grounds, visit local clubs and schools and try to shore up more memberships.

Below appears the final 4 club lists of players with two first names with one being their surname.

ST. KILDA                                                    Western BuLLDOGS

Jarryd Allen                                                      Luke Darcy

Matthew Clarke                                               Chris Grant

Raphael Clarke                                     Dale Morris

Xavier Clarke                                                   Robert Murphy

Sam Gilbert                                                      Farren Ray

Robert Harvey

Brad Harvey

Phillip Raymond

SYDNEY                                                        WEST COAST

Leo Barry                                                         Jaymie Graham

That is it and a very special team for you next week.

Carlton had a vote and the members ousted Graeme Smorgan from the Presidents position.  The big tip for the next Blue boss is former club champion Stephen "Sticks" Kernahan.

Leigh Matthews ahs come out and said that he does not see a second AFL club based in Queensland on a full time basis in his life time.  Does he have a mystery illness that we do not know about it.

Former Swan's premiership player Jason Ball has been elected to the clubs board.  Another former or current AFL player with a touch of the genitalia to his handle.  FYI, the MSWord spell check has no suggestion for the word genitalia.

Send your emails to diggerafl@yahoo.com.au if you wish to join this years tipping competition.

Until next week,

Digger