Drugs are all the talk in AFL circles this week and the players are revolting over the reporting of same.

Hawthorn is the latest club to be rocked by allegations that 2 high profile players are attending rehabilitation after testing positive to ice.  The medical records were apparently found in the gutter outside the clinic they were allegedly attending.  The Commandant has slammed the 7 network for broadcasting the item on their nightly news.  Digger thinks this is a version of the Commandants ostrich impersonation.

As Digger said a few weeks ago beware the wounded Weagle.  The Weagles again fought back from adversity and a scoreboard deficit to inflict defeat upon St. Kilda last Friday night and may have knocked the Saints out of finals calculation.  Matt Priddis was a star for the team from Western Australia and was well supported by Quentin Lynch who kicked five goals.  All the Saints key forwards got goals just not enough of them.

The Kangaroos inflicted a huge defeat upon Carlton last week and set up a finals appearance that no-one thought possible at the seasons beginning.  Aaron Edwards kicked a career high 4 goals before suffering cramp and Brent Harvey was again the ‘Roos best.  Not many highlights for the Blue boys but ruck man Cain Ackland took his first contested mark since round 8.

Fremantle defeated the disappointing Melbourne team by 10 goals in what was not much more than a training gallop at Subiaco.  Each team kicked 5 goals 4 behinds in the first quarter before the mentals banged on 9 second term goals to blow the game wide open.  Luke McPharlin was the key forward but the Dockers shared the goals around.  Russel Robertson tried hard for the Dee's but lacked mates.  The Melbourne committee is due to announce next years coach on Monday.

Collingwood booked their finals spot when they defeated a rather sluggish Sydney side at the ‘G.  A crowd of just under 64,000 fans saw the return of Nathan Buckley and a very spirited performance by the ‘Pies.  The usual suspects were Sydney's best namely, Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk and Barry Hall.  Sydney need to win this weekend to play in the finals.

Whoever won the game between Adelaide and Brisbane would go into the 8 the loser would make it hard to make the finals.  The Ravens wanted it more and ran out deserved 26 point winners.  Simon Goodwin again was the Ravens best but had help from veteran Andrew McLeod.  Luke Power tried hard for Brisbane.

The Western Bulldogs jumped Hawthorn and had a healthy quarter time lead and still held the lead at half time.  But whatever they had in the first half was left in the change sheds when the second half started and the Hawks went boom.  A 16 goal to 2 second half saw the Hawks fly away and record a convincing 14 goal win.  Buddy Franklin kicked 2 goals 12 behinds which is scary.  Luke Hodge, who was quiet early ended the day with 6 goals and Roughead is blooming and finished with 3.  No highlights for the Bulldogs and an early start to the pre season beckons.

Port Adelaide inflicted the first defeat for Geelong in 4 months and did it in Geelong's own dung hill.  Medical emergencies and a late withdrawal hampered the Cats but Port full deserved their win.  Sean Burgoyne and Brett Ebert were superb for the Power while Gary Ablett appears to have sewn up the Cats Best and Fairest.

The Melbourne finale to the Essendon careers of coach Kevin Sheedy and club great James Hird took place at the MCG in front of 88,468 spectators but the team the Sheedy played for, Richmond, spoilt the party.  The Tigers had 13 individual goal kickers in an all round team effort.  Hird slotted 2 goals and was among his teams best but the spirit of Essendon past was missing.  Matt Richardson was the best for Richmond although wayward in front of goal.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Where can I purchase my tickets for the Saigon Saints Vietnam Airlines AFL Grand Final Brunch.

Regards,

John Wayne, Heaven

Dear Duke,

You can't.  The tickets are sold out, done and dusted, kapoot, it's over, gone, finito.  All tickets have gone.

Sorry about that, Duke.

Who will make the finals and who will not.  All will be known by  early Sunday evening.  Those who will play finals are, Geelong, Port Adelaide, West Coast, Hawthorn, Kangaroos and Collingwood.  Those in the hot seat are Sydney and Adelaide while St. Kilda, Brisbane and Fremantle have hopes if they win and other results fall their way.  Here is Diggers take on things.

First up we see the Friday night clash between Collingwood and Adelaide at the Dome.  The Ravens need a defensive effort like last round and if they can produce this a win is on the cards.  However Collingwood will be keen to take winning form into finals and hand out a defeat to the Ravens.  Gee this is a tough one to call as Digger has had trouble calling the form on both these teams all season.  Another flip of coin here and Digger has come up with Collingwood in a very tight affair.

St. Kilda need to win and win well against Richmond on Saturday if they are any chance to play further in September.  St. Kilda should win but thye should be well entrenched in the 8 by now.  Richmond will want to end this bad season with back to back wins but the Saints should prevail.  St. Kilda by 2 goals but this maybe not enough.

The West Coast and Essendon have forged a bitter rivalry and this game could become bitter as the final act in the goodbye Sheedy, goodbye Hirdy occurs at Subiaco on Saturday.  The Weagles need a convincing win to over take Port Adelaide in second spot but the ‘Dons will want to send the boys off in winning fashion.  It will not happen and despite all the attempts by the Essendon players and the Weagles to win but not by more than 4 goals.

Can the Cats bounce back in their game against Brisbane on Saturday night.  If Collingwood knock over Adelaide then Brisbane have a chance to make the finals and this will add extra incentive to them.  However there maybe a disincentive of Adelaide wins.  Digger expects the Cats to win and win handsomely and onward toward the finals.

The Fremantle season will be all over after Port Adelaide beats it.  Port to finish second on the ladder.  The surprise packet of the season.

Last time they met Sydney inflicted a defeat upon Hawthorn but on recent form it is hard to see that happening again.  Hawthorn can play attacking football but can also mix it with the Swans defensive mould of play.  All the Sydney guns need to mix it up for them to progress.  Another hard match to call but the Swans fighting spirit should see then prevail in another close one.

On last weeks effort the Western Bulldogs would have no hope of beating the Geelong Falcons let alone the Kangaroos.  Demoralised, disheartened and distraught the Dogs have had a season to forget.  Unlikely heroes, the Kangaroos are playing top footy and should easily account for the scraggers and go into September action full of pep.

In a game that no-one wants to win, I do not want to write to much about.  Later in September we can ask Rod Ashman about tanking.  Melbourne to win because Carlton do not want to win.

See you in September,

Digger