Not sure if the cause of the below was the round being played over 5 days.

Not even sure if I have covered all the players who where "replaced in the selected side" as the AFL website does not even mention the fact and archive media reports did not mention some that they mentioned in their original match reports but for Digger it is happening far too often.

INJURIES - Brisbane Lions: Lappin (thigh) replaced in selected side by Allan; Roe (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Mills.St Kilda: Ball (cut head) replaced in selected side by Birss;

INJURIES: Essendon: Lovett-Murray (groin, replaced in selected side by Heffernan),  Fremantle: Longmuir (knee, replaced in selected side by Gilmore)

INJURIES: Carlton: J Waite (quad) replaced in selected side by J Saddington),

INJURIES:W Tredrea (knee) replaced in selected side by M Pettigrew,

INJURIES: Collingwood: S Prestigiacomo replaced in selected side by N Maxwell. Kangaroos: J Sinclair replaced in selected side by T Makepeace, S Watt replaced in selected side by S Rocca.

INJURIES: D Johnson (shoulder) replaced in selected side by J Hunt.

Lots of cash is wagered on AFL games, tipping competitions are everywhere and Super Coach/Dreamteam competitions abound.  But teams are allowed to continue to dupe the fans of the game by doing this practice and the spineless Commandant Andrew and his cronies do nothing about it.  Treat the fans and members of the club with more faith rather than contempt.

Continuing on with this theme and I would not consider myself an expert at web surfing but old Digger cannot find a "contact us" button on the AFL website http://www.afl.com.au/ Do they have one?  Is there such a thing as a Public Relations Dept. at the AFL?  It appears to me that the only way the public can ask a question, make a suggestion or praise/fault is through the media.  If I could find the "contact us" button I would ask them.

Brisbane versus St. Kilda started the Easter weekend clashes and the Brisbane team shocked the Saints with their tenacity.  Young guns Michael Rischitelli and Justin Sherman starred for the Lions and will lead this team into the future.  Fiora and Gram (Ben Cousins favourite player were the only Saints to have a consistent 4 quarters.  The Brisbane team surprisingly sit at the top of the table after their 52 point win.

Richmond hosted Sydney with the latter expected to win easily.  However the Tigers put in a grand effort and Sydney stumbled to a 16 point win only getting away in the final stanza.  Big Spida Everitt was good all day with the lack of Tiger big men assisting him.  Brett Deledio led the young Richmond team with poise beyond his years.

Collingwood traveled West to take on the Weagles and put up a surprisingly good effort.  The ‘Pies seem to lift a cog against the Weagles but it was not enough.  Tyson Stenglein, playing his 50^th game was brilliant for the westerners and of course the normal superstars Judd and Kerr racked up possessions.  Anthony Rocca Kicked 4 majors for the Magpies.

Geelong met the resurgent Carlton at the Telstra Rink and the resurgency is now officially over.  Tom Hawkins made his debut for the Cats and was impressive and the Cats would do well to keep a lid on this kid.  N. Ablett and G. Ablett both contributed to the pussies gaping win.  The Blues resume favouritism for the wooden spoon.

Port Adelaide were long odds on favourites over the Kangaroos but the tenacious ‘Roos kept with them all the way.  Unfortunately they lost again and the Junkyard dog is hanging on by a thread to the coaching job.

Essendon's early season form continued when they hosted and defeated Fremantle by 10 points at the Rink.  Scotty Lucas was again in fine form with 5 majors and Matthew Lloyd "is back".  Dean Solomon was booked in his first match for striking former team mate Angus Monfries (with that?).  Freo gun Matthew Pavlich was their best and Chris Tarrant showed touches of his best form.

The Western Bulldogs appear to have heeded the words of the media and have gotten ahead of themselves.  In a game they were expected to win, the Ravens showed that they will be a force in 2007.  A very disappointing crowd of 27,199 turned up at the ‘G to see the Ravens run the doggies ragged.  All the Raven guns played well while winners were few and far between for the Western Bulldogs.  On Easter Sunday, Cross was the best for WB's.

Hawthorn shocked Melbourne on Easter Monday and the Demons appear in disarray.  The 22 point win by the Hawks flattered the Demons and long term injuries to David Neitz and Russell Robertson only further kicked the Demons in guts.  Mark Williams kicked 6 for the Hawks after his negative performance the week before.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Welcome back in season 2007, we missed you over the summer although Trigger provided us with some cash.  My question is, can yourself and Trigger get together and give us some tips for making cash on football betting.

Regards,

Swampy from Bacchus Marsh

G'day Swampy,

Digger does not need Trigger to give you some tips on footy betting.  Keep this in mind.

• The early favourite will win most games so look at taking a footy quadrella combing the 4 shortest price faves for the 4 lowest winning margins.
• Late money can be an indication that key players will be late withdrawals.  In this case have a "saver" on the outsider.
• No team deserves to paying over $7 so when you see this get on the outsider.

Digger

Round 3 is the Rivalry Round with derbies and long lasting traditional clashes the highlight.

Collingwood V Richmond, Friday night at the ‘G is a very interesting clash.  The Tiger's have no ruckman to speak of so Josh Fraser of the magpies should have a huge game.  However Digger reckons that the Tiges small men will shark a lot of his work and will do enough to win.  Collingwood will be tired after their game effort last week.  Richmond is a close one.

Also at the ‘G will be Carlton and Essendon on Saturday arvo.  Essendon to inflict further pain upon the Blues and Scott Lucas to kick another bag and become early favourite for the Coleman Medal.

A divided City of Churches will be off to AAMI stadium to watch the derby clash between the Ravens and the Port teams.  Both of these teams were in good from last week and a clash where Digger hopes they bash the shit out of each other should see the Ravens coming out on top.  Look out for Scott Welsh to have a big one.

Another derby over in the west with the Weagles and the Mentals clashing at Subiaco.  The Fremantle team has won the last 2 derbies but the Weagles should come out on top this week.  Maybe the Fremantle bubble has burst and they should be 0 and 3 after this game.  Chris Connelly, the Mentals coach says there is no added pressure in this game.  Yeah right!

An interesting game is in store when St. Kilda meet the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.  Both teams were stung by their respective defeats last week and who can bounce back quicker.  Digger thinks the Dog's will and the Saints woes will continue.  St. Kilda has a motto on their website "Believe or Burn" and as the disco kings of the AFL in the past this week will be burn, baby, burn.  The Western Bulldogs to win.

Michael O'Loughlin, long time star with the Sydney Swans plays his 250^th game against Brisbane on Sunday.  Anyone with half a brain would say the Sydney should play West Coast in the rivalry round but the powers to be .................. want derbies.  Dickheads.  Sydney to beat the Lions.

In the battle of the highway, Melbourne host Geelong and with the injuries to key forwards and 2 dejecting losses it may be a highway to hell for the Demons.  If, and that is a huge if for the Cats, can continue to play as a team and to their potential they should win easily.  Can Geelong become complacent after 1 win?  Sure they can!  Still they should have enough to get over the top of Melbourne.

Finally we have the Kangaroos versus Hawthorn and a buoyant Hawk team will win and a first coaching casualty of 2007 will follow.  Remember you heard it here first.

Cheers,

Digger