How to keep your emotions in check?  Have you heard what you thought you heard or have you heard what was said.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.

Is the whole world going soft or is the AFL trying to be the moral guardian of all of Australia?

How can a  guy be "reported" by hearsay?  How can a guy be found not guilty of a hearsay report and then the guy who hit him on a number of occasions be found guilty of striking but be let off because he was provoked if the provocation was not proven.

A can of worms has been opened by the AFL tribunal with the future line of "I was provoked" being the catch call for those reported on striking charges.

Fuck, what is the AFL coming too!  Part of being a professional footballer is keeping your emotions in check and maintaining your focus on the game.  Enough of that and get on with the real game.

Last weeks opening game of the round was Richmond versus Collingwood with over 70,000 paying fans attending the clash.  For the third time in three games the Tigers lead at some stage of the final quarter but are still winless after 3 games.  Full credit to the ‘Pies for coming home with a wet sail.

The Lazuras award winner for the season so far goes to Carlton for their huge effort to come back from 10 goals down to defeat the fading Essendon team.  Brendan Fevola kicked 8 goals for the game with Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas again in from in front of the sticks for the ‘Dons.  A great game between these two teams on the rise.

The City of Churches derby drew a disappointing crowd and both clubs have called for future derbies to be played at night.  In this clash the Ravens won by 4 goals in a fairly low scoring game.  The Ravens played a very defensive game and Port could not escape the shackles.

What has happened to the Western Bulldogs?  Touted as true premiership hopes they have know lost two on the trot and appear to be struggling.  Last week, St. Kilda gave them a bit of a hiding with Nick Riewoldt, playing his first game of the season leading the way with 4 majors.  The mid field of veteran Robert Harvey and Nick Dal Santo racked up possessions and continually drove the Saints into attack.

Already too much media time and words have been spent on the Western Australia derby.  The Weagles won.

In a close game at the S.C.G. the Sydney team sparked in the final game by 250^th gamer Mickey O overcome a determined Brisbane team.  Brisbane lead up until three quarter time but a lack of penetration saw them only score 1 point in the final stanza.  Jonathan Brown kicked his 200^th AFL goal in the first quarter while Swan forward Big Barry Hall slotted his 500^th in the same game.  Apparently they are building a new grand stand at the S.C.G.

Geelong steamrolled the Melbourne team and the Demons look to be in trouble at this early stage of the season.  First season player for the Cats Tom Hawkins had 4 goals on the board by half time and is truly a future great.  He was ably supported by Ablett (G), the human brain explosion Cam Mooney and Paul Chapman.  Brad Green played a lone hand for the Dees.

Hawthorn could be the surprise packet of the season with their win over the Kangaroos giving them two on the trot.  Wrong, they beat the Roo's.  Only a couple of goals in time on of the last quarter got them home and the Roo's are very ordinary.  A. Swallow was among the Kangaroo's best.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Congratulations!  Last week on Melbourne radio the broadcasters were having a chuckle over the names of lasts weeks debutants for Collingwood, Dick and Cox.  Then they mentioned Goldsach.  Then The Age newspaper had a giggle about the Geelong V Melbourne game, mentioning how many players with names of colors were involved in a passage of play.  Digman, you are ahead of your time.

Bich Ngoc,

Crown Casino

Dear Bich Ngoc,

Nice to hear from you again.  Digger will give you more scoops than Baskin and Robbins.  Here at CFNR we are light years ahead of the rest.

Digger

Can the Western Bulldogs bounce back in their match against Richmond on Friday night?  Digger reckons yes as the Tigers appear to be unfit and not last a full game out.  A key feature of this game will be if the Bulldog full forward, Brad Johnson, can return to the form that saw him kick 8 in round 1.  If yes, and the pups can get the run back in their legs they should run out easy winners.

The battle of the Magpies takes place when Collingwood, the current Magpies, and Port Adelaide, the former magpies meet.  Collingwood have been good so far this year with Port being a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team.  The match being played in Melbourne will be the deciding factor in this game and their young blokes will get them over the line.

St. Kilda versus Essendon will be a game where reputations are on the line.  Can the Saints put two games together and can the Bombers get over the humiliating loss of last week.  For Digger, the Saints have the better forward set up with many to share the load while Essendon seem to rely on the two L's, Lucas and Lloyd.  The Saints for me.

Believe it or not, good onya Ripley, the Kangaroos have real chance to overcome the Brisbane team when they go to battle against each other.  Brisbane will be battered and bruised after their torrid hit out against Sydney last week and the ‘Roos will be fired up.  McGrath is a key player for the Lions and if he can spark the Lions may overcome its tiredness.  Brisbane in a close one.

Adelaide host the Sydney team and as per Brisbane the Sydney boys will be bruised and sore from lasts weeks encounter.  Meanwhile, Adelaide had a easy game against Port and will be fresh and keen to inflict further pain against their nemesis.  The Ravens to win this one.

Tasmania has their first taste of AFL season 2007 when hawthorn takes on the in form Geelong.  The Hawks inflicted two heavy defeats upon Geelong last season and will be keen to keep up their winning ways.  Cat coach Mark Thompson, like the wuss he is, has already said that the Hawthorn team will be hard to beat and has bleated about playing in the Apple Isle.  However Digger thinks the Cats are on the rise and should win this one.

Melbourne V Fremantle would have been a highlighted game at the start of the season but as it is now they are placed last and 14^th respectively.  Melbourne has no forwards but if they have some lip and get the Mentals off their game, who knows.  Melbourne to win only because it is in Melbourne.  No mention of the tattoos.

Finally, Weagles host Carlton and while the Blues have been looking good they have absolutely no hope against the reigning premiers.  West Coats "fucking" easily.

That is all this week,

Digger