The first big game of the season is upon us, the Grand Final of the NAB Cup 2006 takes place at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, this Saturday.  The Ravens take on the Cats and while at the start of each pre-season competition the coaches say it is not a priority, when the final comes around the importance to the clubs escalates.  Increased memberships and a few extra dollars in the coffers is great incentive.  The Cats are coming off  a horrendous finish to the 2005 season and the Ravens were the most improved team of 2005.  Geelong are notoriously bad travelers and the Adelaide team will be near full strength.  For Digger, the Ravens will win this one, cantering away in the last quarter after a tight start to the game.

Drugs in the AFL?  15 players have tested positive for recreational drugs including cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.  Hardly performance enhancing but drugs none the less.  50% of positive results in 2004 and 75% of positive tests were from indigenous Australians.  Some coaches have insisted that they should be informed after the first positive test.  Current AFL rules are that the players are counseled after positive test 1 and 2 with the names becoming public and the player suspended for 1 year for a third positive test.  Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy said it is up to senior players to know what is going on and talk to the younger players.  He says that these days coaches are too old and do not socialize with the players so the coaches have no idea what is going on.  Digger has done some research into the matter and based on anecdotal evidence offers this to Sheeds and the other coaches.

THE WICKED WEED

It is compulsory, as advised by the clubs dieticians, for clubs to provide food immediately after the game.  Among these are glucose lollies (candy).  Watch out for the players putting them in their bags and taking them home.  Any player caught doing the 11.00 pm Seven-Eleven run would be immediately under suspicion.

Check the length of each players garden hose and the start of the season and then check it again at various times during the season.

If a player is sponsored by Mars Bars investigation is required.

THE E

If a player takes a real liking to dancing when belting out the club song, investigate.

If a player cries out "YO" every time the umpire blows his whistle, investigate.

Check each players mouth guard for excessive wear and tear on the outside of the bottom of the mouth guard, if found, investigate.

If a player is talking (read TALKING) more than normal at a recovery session, investigate.

Any other readers out there who have some advice for the AFL coaches on this subject can contact Digger and he will be sure to pass it on.

As stated in lasts weeks edition, 2 tipping comps. will take place as a joint venture between CFN and the Blue Gecko.  The rules etc., and again attached to the CFN newsletter.

In the build up to the season proper, that kicks off with the clash between the West Coast and St. Kilda on THURSDAY the 30^th of March, an AFL trivia night/contest will be held at the Blue Gecko on Monday the 27^th of March.  Please register your team of 4 at diggertips@yahoo.com.au  If you cannot get a team of 4 organised, just turn up on the night and join a team.  In fairness to our cousins from NSW and QLD there will be some rugby questions and for all others some general sporting questions.  Kick off will be a 7.00 pm sharp so get there early to secure a team and a good spot.  Great prizes to be won.

This week we will preview the Geelong team.  The Cats need to get over the last minute loss in lasts years qualifying final to eventual premiers, Sydney.  The Cats had led all night only to get rolled with a Swans goal with 7 seconds to go.  Can they rebound, a resounding yes.  Bomber Thompson has the team to do it.  He has the premiership experience to call on and the team should now be mature enough to contest hard every week.  The main pressure on the team will come from the local press and supporters.  Being the only country team in the AFL, the players cannot fart in public without it becoming front page news.  The Cats to win their first premiership since 1963.

Richmond showed great improvement in 2005 under new coach Terry Wallace.  After a huge start to the year the team was cut down by injury to star Nathan Brown and eventually they ran out of puff.  The Tigers forward line was much improved and it also has one of the best young lists going around and the Tigers can repeat their efforts of last year.  2007 and beyond is when we will see the best of the boys in the yellow and black.

No money, no spirit, no hope.  Sorry Carlton supporters but this year is going to be just as long as the last couple.  Missing early draft selections for a couple of years after being caught rorting the salary cap, the Blues have struggled to get their list to the required level to be competitive.  Maybe by 2010 Digger will be writing in a positive frame about the former silvertails but until then he will get into them while can.  The wooden spoon for the boys from Carlton town.

Can the ghosts of the past return to Victoria Park this year?  If they do they will find nothing as the ‘Pies have gone up market.  Will Eddie leave Melbourne and take up residence in Sydney?  Love him or hate him, if he leaves the President's job his passion for the ‘Woods will be sorely missed.  Has Malthouse still got the spark to turn two poor seasons around.  Will the new sponsorship with Mc Donalds make them a McHappy team (they should have sponsored Hawthorn).  A bit more work to be done by the ‘Pies yet and Digger can see another year of rebuilding before they are a force again.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

This weeks letter comes from Mitch of Michigan.  Mitch writes,

Hey Dude, thanks for the spin on the numbers thing, what I would like to know is, how is the off side rule interpreted in Ozzie rules?

Thanks Mitch, in fact, in Aussie rules there is no off side rule.  This allows the game to be free flowing and to be opened up when packs occur.

That's about it for Digger this week and do not forget to register for the tipping competitions and the up coming trivia night.