AFL finals first week
September, 07th 2006 10:08 AM 

Well the home and away season has ended and 8 teams are now sitting back and watching the finals.  22 weeks of games and many more spent in pre-season training have come to nought for many.  Players are retiring, some are in the surgery already for operations and a nervous few are wondering if they will be cut.  But the biggest news in football for this week was the stunning win by the Saigon Gecko's against the hapless Ha Noi Hawks at Rim It Stadium last Saturday afternoon.

The throng of spectators were witness to some magical skills, polished displays and acrobatic delights and that was only the goal umpires.  The Crazy Fool himself shone in his goal umpiring debut and was that Digger up the other end?  They say that central umpires are at their best when you do not notice them but how could you not notice the heaving chests of centrals Treasure and Daley.  Unfortunately their chests have gone south but they did look resplendent in their matching yellow shirts.

The game itself was a spectacle to behold.  Fast running play, swift on the spot handballs and some great marking were the highlights.  Ian "the Irishman" Bossonet will be a player to be reckoned with when he learns more about the rules.  Thanh "Straw Weight" Charles was forever busy at the bottom of the packs and Phil " The Banker" Crouch showed a cool head when the game was in the balance.  Chris "The Executioner" Paget tackled ferociously and it was The Bankers mate Ian (?) who was the best player for the winning team.

For Ha Noi, Will, Phil, Bill and "the hair cut" showed dash and poise.  Kiwi Jason Guttenbeil was impressive when played in the backline in the first half but fell away when unwisely moved up forward in the second half.

Final scores were Saigon 5.11.41 to Ha Noi 4.5.29

Congratulations to Pago and his team for organizing this event.

Finals time in the AFL and as always Digger is asked to explain the way the finals work so here we go.

  • First plays Fourth at Firsts home ground
  • Second plays Third at Thirds home ground
  • Fifth plays Eighth at the MCG
  • Sixth plays Seventh at MCG
  • The two highest placed winners will have weekend off next week.
  • The two lowest placed losers will also have a week off next week and the next and the next.
  • The two highest placed losers will play the two lowest placed winners at the two highest placed losers home ground the following week

Further explanation next week.

ELIMINATION FINALS

St. Kilda (6th) take on Melbourne (7th) at the MCG on Friday night.  Lots of tipsters jumped on Melbourne last week to beat the depleted Ravens forgetting that the Demons had faded the previous week against Geelong.  The Ravens smacked the Melbourne outfit that were very disappointing.  Meanwhile, St. Kilda had a solid 51 point win over Brisbane.  The key to this game will Melbourne defenders ability to hold the Saints very potent forward line which includes Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and possibly Aaron Hamill.  A 10 goal thrashing is not the way to enter finals footy but that is what the Demons are doing and without some help for captain David Neitz up forward, Melbourne look likely to be out of the finals in straight sets.  They have a habit of doing this.  St. Kilda to progress to week 2 of the finals.

The other elimination final takes place on Sunday when Collingwood (5th) meet the Western Bulldogs (8th) also at the MCG.  The Western Bulldogs will be the team all followers will hope be the "Cinderella Story" after veteran Rohan Smith announced that 2006 will be his last as an AFL player.

Can dreams come true and can the ‘Dogs firstly beat Collingwood.  They will rely heavily on Brad Johnson up forward but he does get some quality ball from players such as Adam Cooney, Jordan McMahon etc.,  For the Magpies ruckman Josh Fraser is in fine form and gives Collingwood's mid field first use of the ball.  It took a 10 goal final quarter performance for the ‘Pies to put away the Kangaroos last week and they will not be allowed to give the Western Bulldogs that leeway.  Diggers sees the Dogs speed, enthusiasm and blue collar like passion to get them over the line.

QUALIFYING FINALS

This is where the premiership team will come from.

Saturday afternoon and the remarkable Fremantle travel to Adelaide to take on the Ravens.  Did we all write off Adelaide too soon?  Can Fremantle continue their winning streak and set up possibly the first ever "derby" Grand Final?  These questions and more will be answered during the unfolding of the game.  As we go to press we do not know the ins and outs for these teams but if the Ravens get even a couple of their injured players back in their stocks will rise dramatically.  As it is, Scott Welshis the key forward for Adelaide with some help from scouter Nathan Bock.  Fremantle share the goals around more with the likes of Jeff Farmer, Matt Pavlich and Justin Longmuir.  This match will be a shootout and for Digger the Dockers can kick more goals even though when the Ravens are on song they can kick them from anywhere.  The Fremantle team to have a spell next week.

The second qualifying final sees us with a rematch of last years qualifying final and Grand Final.  West Coast (1st) host Sydney (4th) in Perth, Western Australia.  The Swans should have won this qualifying final last year bar for some dodgy umpiring decisions which in the end gave them the extra motivation to win on that "one day in September".

Both teams were in great nick last round with West Coast kicking the sweep against Richmond.  Sydney had the luxury of having Barry Hall, Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin on the bench in the last quarter of their match against wooden spooners Carlton.  Can the Sydney mid field match the likes of Judd, Fletcher and Cousins.  In an upset Digger is going for the Swans who seem to be coming to the top of their game at the right time of the year.

It would be remiss of someone with a name like Digger not to comment on the passing of Aussie icon and legend Steve Irwin.  While millions of words have been written in tribute and memorial to Steve the best one for me was this.

In 2001 Steve was in Melbourne, where he was born, on a publicity trip.  Steve was also a mad Essendon fan and the Bomber hierarchy invited out to a training session.  In the car park, through the change rooms and down the players race.  As he walked onto to the ground he was heard to say very reverently, "Crikey, Windy Hill".  R.I.P.

See you in the Soup,

Digger

 

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