2007 round 20
August, 09th 2007 11:03 AM

For the past few seasons the AFL has designated one round per year to have a heritage round that celebrates, guess what, the heritage of the game.  As well as being one of the ethics upon which Australian culture is defined the same tenet has always, and I repeat always, never to “dob in” another player at any football tribunal whether you are playing in the elite competition or for Quambatook thirds.

 

Lies, fibs, mistruths and half truths have been part and parcel of tribunal proceedings and it has always an unwritten law that you tried to assist in getting the reported player off the charge.

 

Well the thought police of the AFL have handed out a $15,000 fine to Hawthorns Campbell Brown who admitted that he told a fib at the tribunal earlier in the year in assisting Chris Judd escape an eye gouging charge.  If they go and make this charge retrospective they would be able to fund the eradication of hunger in Africa.  At least half the fine was suspended and I would think that Juddy should kick in some too.

 

Only one word for the thought police and it rhymes with duckwits.

 

Richmond had a big win last Friday night and it appears that the Colliwobbles have come early.  I get plenty of emails about coming early and maybe I can send then on to Mick Malthouse.  The Tigers led by 19 points at quarter time and maintained this lead throughout the game eventually running out 20 point winners.  Nathan Foley (a former Geelong Falcon under 17 player) led the way for his team with Brett Deledio notching 5 goals.  Tarkyn Lockyer strengthened his claim on the Copeland Trophy again the best for a sda old Collingwood.

 

Buddy at one end and Browny at the other and a crack a jack game ensued between Hawthorn and Brisbane.  Hawthorn showed that thye are not on the slide as Digger was so politely told by Syd Schooner.  Big marks, outstanding goals and run, run, run was the order of the day and the Hawks took the honors with a 4 goal victory.  Luke Hodge (another Geelong falcon) was best for the Hawks and Jonathan Brown (another Geelong Falcon) was best for the Lions who looked resplendent in the old Fitzroy jumpers.

 

Carlton have improved greatly since Brett Ratten took over as coach  but cannot notch a win and last week went down to Port Adelaide.  The Blues led at the lemon break but stumbled in the final stanza allowing the Power to secure a spot in September action.  First season Port player Travis Boak (a former Geelong Falcon) continues to impress in his debut season while Carlton was served well by Andrew Carrazzo (Oakleigh Chargers but was on Geelong’s rookie list) who has firmed in Carlton B & F award.  Port won by 23 points.

 

How low can they go?  The Western Bulldog’s woes continued when they were defeated by lowly Melbourne by 7 goals.  What is going on in the western suburbs when a team chock full of class players and mooted as a premiership chance looks the previously mentioned Quambatook 3rds.  But Melbourne deserved their win and Ben Holland was outstanding with 4 majors.  Shaun Higgins (recruited from Geelong) was good for the pups kicking 5 goals but seriously lacked mates.  In an odd season the Bulldogs still have the chance of finals action.

 

Something familiar is in the air with the Sydney team again coming good at the pointy end of the season and their defeat of St. Kilda last week was a game that ensured September action.  It was a tough and dour effort and not a pretty spectacle as former Sydney assistant Ross Lyons took on his mentor Paul Roos.  The unlikely hero for the Swans was Jarryd McVeigh who snagged a career best three goals.  He was well supported by Amon Buchanan (former Geelong Falcon).  Best for the Saints was Leigh Montagna who I think once drove through Geelong on his way to Torquay.  Swans saluting by 17 points.

 

The forgotten match of the round (sorry Konrad and other Weagle supporters) was between the West Coast and the Kangaroos.  Even for the first half, the Weagles slowly got on top in the second half and eventually ran out victors by 17 points.  Ben Cousins ( his father played for Geelong) continued his comeback in fine form while Judd is struggling with groin problems.  Grand campaigner Glen Archer was very solid for the ‘Roos.

 

Geelong stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games and claimed the minor premiership (a rugby league term) when they defeated the Adelaide Ravens by 33 points at Kardinia Park.  Former Geelong Falcons, Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett again were among the Cats best.  A solid contributor all year Simon Goodwin was the Ravens best.  Diggers suggestion that former Geelong Falcon John Meesen would make his debut for Adelaide failed to materialize.  Digger played with his father.

 

A dispirited Essendon were flogged by the Fremantle team who seem to be hell bent on staging another run for the finals.  The end result was a huge 63 win to the Mentals’s as the Essendon team and indeed coach Kevin Sheedy  Pavlich was dominant with 6 goals and he was well supplied by mid fielder Josh Carr.  Matthew Lloyd fought a lone hand for the Bombers with 5 majors. seem to be just going through the motions.

 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.  Yep, got em all.

 

LETTER OF THE WEEK

 

Dear Dig Head,

 

Where was the preview for the match of the round, Kangaroos versus West Coast last week?  Does the Crazy Fool check your scribble?  Not good mate for someone who reckons he is an expert.  Lift your game.

 

No regards,

 

  1. Demented trio, Melbourne

 

 

 

To all 3 of you, I missed it okay.  Only the Pope is infallible and Digger is only human.

 

Digger

 

Collingwood, surprise losers last week, take on Melbourne, surprise winners last week meet on Friday night at the ‘G.  last time these 2 teams clashed the Demons were the winners while the Collingwood supporters were crying “we wuz robbed”.  Digger expects much of the same this week and predicts a Melbourne 3 goal win.  One more win for the season should see the ‘Pies make the finals but do not expect it to come this week.

 

Brett Ratten has stated that he will not think of tanking and wants a win and him and his Blues could sneak one when they clash with Essendon at the ‘G Saturday afternoon.  Again, like the game above, Carlton won when these two teams last met and it appears likely to occur again.  Essendon have shown absolutely zilch over the past 2 weeks and it is hard to see them getting up.  Digger, out on a limb, predicts a draw.

 

St. Kilda and Fremantle meet in the match billed as the last chance for both of them on Saturday afternoon at the Dome.  St. Kilda should win and keep alive their vision of September action as they have the more potent forward line and play the Dome well.  Do not write of Fremantle as Mark Harvey seems to be getting a bit extra out of them.  However, I have to tip the Saints to win.

 

The upset of the round will take place in Brisbane when the Lions take on Sydney on their own dung hill.  A Brisbane  Sydney’s relentless march to the finals will suffer a tiny hiccup with the Lions coming up trumps by 3 goals. win will make it harder for others to overtake them in the finals race and they are playing good football.

 

Richmond’s one game streak will come to an end when they go to Perth to meet the rampaging Weagles.  West Coast by 15 goals.  Expect Judd to be rested.

 

It seems that every week Hawthorn play in a second versus third clash and so it is again this week when they meet the 2007 surprise packet Port Adelaide.  The key to this game could be the ground as the Hawks have a distinct home ground advantage when playing in Tasmania.  Port rely to heavily on Chad Cornes while Tim Boyle helps out around goal for the Hawks.  Hawthorn should win and win well by 6 goals.

 

First V fourth when Geelong and clash on Sunday at the Dome.  The Kanga’s are the last team to defeat Geelong  The key will be if the Kangaroos can maintain intensity for 4 full quarters as Geelong will jump all over them with any lapse.  Geelong need to lose say some but Diggers disagrees and see that Cats wining by 15 points with Cameron Mooney putting in a huge last quarter. and they are a real chance to do so again this week.

 

The game between Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs is a toss of the coin and the toss landed on Adelaide as they are playing at home.

 

Until next week.,

 

Digger

 

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