..... and then there were two.  Last week we saw the two Preliminary Finals take place in far flung places such as Sydney and Adelaide.  Sydney versus Fremantle at the Telstra Stadium saw both teams play a fast running game and the game was close for the majority of the 100 minutes.  It was football as we like to see it, uncompromising, tough and athletic.  There were champions on parade, Barry Hall for the Swans was terrific, Matthew Pavlich for the Dockers inspirational and Swan Michael O'Loughlin silky.

4 points in it a ¼ time and the Swans had extended this to 17 points at the long break.  The third quarter is oft called the premiership quarter and would this quarter set up Sydney for a tilt at back to back premierships.  While Sydney went to the lemon break having only stretched their lead to 20 points the signs were ominous for Fremantle.

While Fremantle hang on well, Sydney dominated the term and ran out convincing 35 point winners when the final hooter blew.  The Swans were aiming for back to backs.  As well as those mentioned above, Sydney was well served by Ryan O'Keefe and Jude Bolton while Korean born skipper Peter Bell.  For Digger, Big Bazza was B.O.G.

Before a crowd of 50,514 the Adelaide Ravens welcomed West Coast to AAMI Stadium for Prelim. number 2.  Digger has spoke about scoreboard pressure before and once again the failure to put this type of preesure on an opposition was the undoing of a fancied side.  The Ravens completely dominated the Weagles in the first half but costly misses some from easy shots were to aid in putting to rest the Ravens seasons.  They should have been 8 goals up at half time but still went into the long break leading by 22 points.

After half time it looked as though the teams had swapped jumpers.  Were as there was little pressure applied by the West Coast in the first half the second half saw the Adelaide team falling off tackles and failing to apply pressure to their opponents.  Cousins and Kerr were fantastic for their team and once again defender turned forward Adam Hunter lead the goal scoring with 4 for the Weagles.  Nathan Bock was handy up forward for Adelaide with 3 goals and Brett "the Birdman" Burton took a classic spekky in the first half.  While only a 10 point margin in the end the West Coast was clearly the better side and now they have a chance to redeem themselves after last years Grand Final loss to Sydney.

Blonds, boobs and Brownlow Medals, that was what Monday night in Melbourne was when the votes were tallied at the Crown Casino Ballroom.  The Commandant Andrew had decreed that black tie was a must and didn't the boys look handsome.  But this is as much about the sheilas as the blokes and the coverage of the red carpet arrivals out rated the actual counting of the votes.  Digger gave his votes thus,  1 vote to sports personality Fiona Darmody, 2 votes to Nicki Whelan and 3 votes to top sort Kaite Williams who goes out with some AFL player.

Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes polled 26 votes to take home Charlie this year.  Once again Western Bulldogs veteran Scott West was the bridesmaid finishing second and it was the 5^th time he has finished in the top 5 without taking the prize.

What an amazing sporting place is Australia.  Can anybody tell me another country where 2 football codes will play their Grand Finals on the same weekend, expect sell out crowds and not one team representing the state where the game will be played.  That is the scenario this weekend where in rugby league the Melbourne Storm meet the Brisbane Bronco's in Sydney and in the game that we are interested in and to be played at the mighty MCG, the Sydney Swans tackle the West Coast Eagles.

And already the fun and games have started.  Former AFL sponsor Holden has a new blimp that will be hovering over the MCG this weekend.  This has upset The Commandant as Toyota is now the league sponsor.  The Commandant has called it ambush marketing.

What a feeling, ‘80's super start Irene Cara will headline the pre match entertainment that will also include Aussie rock icons, Daryl Braithwaite, John Paul Young, Joe Camilerri and legend, Brian Mannix.

The AFL has vowed to come down hard on people selling fake merchandise.  And while not fake merchandise, you can buy your officially recognized SARFC AFL Grand Final Brunch 2006 polo shirt at the brunch this Saturday.  If you have not purchased your ticket yet, do so, it could be a sell out and we would hate to disappoint.

Who will win the 2006 AFL Premiership?

Experts are divided over this one with Saigon's leading tipster Andrea going for Sydney and our legal eagle going for the West Coast.

Digger reckons that Sydney is a team capable of kicking four more goals than they did last year but is doubtful whether the Eagles can match this.  To do so they will need to play Hunter up forward and this will hurt their defence.  For a change we will see a ruck man in Dean Cox tagged and he will not be able to pick up easy possessions across the mid field..  Sydney have enough scoring options in their team and expect Davis to have an impact.

For mine, Sydney by 15 points which will be the biggest margin between these two teams for 5 matches.

For this Grand Final Digger hopes that all and sundry have a great day and that the game itself is a terrific contest.