Crazy Fool's Newsround - Digger's afl after round 8

Digger's afl after round 8
May, 25th 2006 04:48 AM

Well, well, well, three holes in the ground, didn't Digger miss his own boat last week. Digger confused himself talking about Terry Wallace and his new attacking style, forgetting his conversation of the previous night that is was in fact Wallace who in 2000 introduced the "super" flood when coaching the Western Bulldogs and inflicting Essendons only defeat of that season. Tactical genius from Wallace or "basketball crap" as described by Kevin Sheedy, you be the judge. It was bloody ugly football at times but the question is why didn't the Ravens man up. Obviously the more skilled team, it was only in the last 5 minutes that they manned up and almost snatched the game.

Football is slowly losing its way and even if we change rules again what will the next move be. What Digger believes needs to happen is get footballers playing the game again and get rid of the athletes who only have the ability to run to a space, take uncontested marks and can only kick accurately over 25 metres or less. To accomplish this, the Under 17 competition needs to go back to an Under 19 competition so that draft picks are then mature enough to take bumps, give them out and contest man on man. They would also establish their football skills and be drafted as footballers not runners. As it is, we have 18 year olds competing with grown men and any coach would be loathe to match up a skinny kid on a physical mature player.

In other matches last round, Geelong were completely humiliated by a cock-a-hoop Collingwood. The 102 point margin was the biggest the ‘woods have ever inflicted on the Cats and the Cats 6^th highest flogging of all time. Something is horribly wrong at Kardinia Park and the word is that coach Mark Thompson is the problem. The problem with that problem is that Geelong president Frank Costa has stated that while he is in charge Thompson will remain as coach. The problem with that problem that is apparently causing the problem is that Costa contributes not only guidance to the club buy monetary contributions. This story will be interesting to follow as former Cat Tim "Bluey" McGrath indicated in his weekly column that player dissatisfaction with Thompson maybe the crux of the problem.

The Hawks bubble has well and truly burst getting smacked by Melbourne by 12 goals. Also hearing the sounds of knives being sharpened is Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson. Their has been a "posse" appointed to evaluate his performance and if the last two weeks are any indication he maybe on the way out. Another coach under the pump is Dean Laidley after his ‘roos were beaten by Fremantle.

Sydney find themselves traveling along nicely after beating the Western Bulldogs at the S.C.G. Maybe old father time is catching up with Bulldog veteran Scott West who has not been at his best over the last couple of weeks. The Port Power woes continue and Mr. Smug, Mark Williams, is another coach in the cross hairs. He was in dispute with the clubs major sponsor when they won the flag so Digger wonders how this relationship is now.

St. Kilda beat up an insipid Carlton with Blue Brendan Fevola kicking all 4 of Carlton's goals. Second highest scorer for Carlton was "rushed" with three behinds. Essendon, on the bottom of the ladder, put up a respectable fight against the Weagles. Leading by almost 2 goals at the last change, Essendon wilted and the Weagles showed their superiority, over powering the Bombers in the final quarter.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

I have only watched A.F.L. football for a couple of years. I cannot understand how a competition with 16 teams can have 8 teams in the final series. What are your thoughts and what is the history of finals.

Keep Kickin'

G. Hiddink

Moscow

Dear G,

Good question. I think you will find that the answer is money. More games, more people attend and therefore more money. Yes, mediocrity is being rewarded. Digger reckons 6 teams in the finals would be a good number.

Various methods were used to determine the premiership team until the McIntyre "final four" was introduced in 1931. The "final four" was replaced by the "final five" in 1972. No extra teams then so that is where the money making commenced. In 1991 it became the "final six". This was the year that Adelaide joined the A.F.L. after the Weagles and Brisbane had joined in 1986. In 1994 it became the "final eight".

Cheers G,

Digger

Leading off round 9 is the Collingwood Vs Western Bulldogs game at the M.C.G. on Friday night. Collingwood have surprised Digger with their efforts thus far in 2006. The Bulldogs did not seem their normal speedy selves last week and their lack of tall timber may be hurting. The magpies are just traveling too well at the moment to tip against them but that is what Digger is going to do. Western Bulldogs in an upset by 8 points.

Richmond travel down the Melbourne Road on Saturday to take on the hugely disappointing Geelong. Cat selectors have indicated that wholesale changes will not be made. What tactic will the Maestro, Terry Wallace, come up with this week. Can the Cats bounce back? Who knows, Digger has a foot in both camps but feels that Geelong must come good sooner or later. It is ages since the Tigers have won in Geelong. In a flip of the coin, Geelong.

The Ravens host Carlton on Saturday and what can I say, Adelaide by 20 goals. The Powerless come over the border to meet Essendon at the rink on Saturday night. Both of these struggling teams need a win on the board but in the match where Kevin Sheedy coaches the Bombers for the 600^th time, that motivation should be enough for Essendon to get over the line.

Hawthorn hosts the Swannies at the ‘G where the Swans have happy memories from last years Grand Final win. Former Commandant of the State of Victoria and current Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has accused his players of giving up last week. Will this sting the Hawks? It should but not enough to test Sydney. Sydney by 4 goals. Fremantle Dockers travel kilometers east and north to face the resurgent Lions in Brisbane. Akermanis showed in his return last week that he still commands respect and big Jonathan Brown, having kicked 15 goals in the last 2 games, will prove a handful for the Dockers. Maybe Docker coach Chris Connolly will have to move his own gun Pavlich back on Brown but can they then kick enough goals. The answer is no and the Lions will put three in a row together.

St. Kilda versus the Kangaroos at the rink on Sunday appears to be another percentage booster for the Saints. Nick Reiwoldt could kick 15 goals alone in this game if he can only kick straight. Simply putting it, the Saints have way too much fire power for the ‘Roos which in turn will only more pressure on the Junkyard Dog. Saints easily.

In what should be a very good match to watch, Melbourne Demons travel west to take on the Weagles at Subiaco. Melbourne, way back in round 19 in 2002, were the last Victorian team to beat the Weagles at Subiaco. In what will be a battle of the mid fields both teams will need to assert dominance early. West Coast were beaten up by Essendon last week while Melbourne has a stroll in the park against the hapless Hawks. In a minor upset, Digger sees the Demons getting up by 13 points.

GREEN SHIRT ROUND

Digger has known to be a bit harsh on umpires over the years so is quite tickled to hear about Green Shirt Round.

Umpires such as Stuart Wenn (where and why) has said that umpiring initiatives such as the 'Green Shirt Round' will benefit the game in the long run.

The 'Green Shirt Round' has been introduced to acknowledge the 1000 new and inexperienced umpires who will wear this shirt as part of the AFL's 'Umpire Mentor Program'.

AFL umpires will wear a special green shirt this weekend in recognition of this program. As I have said all along, it's not easy being Green. And umpires are Muppets.

Which coach will be sacked first, and the nominees are,

Mark Thompson - Geelong

Dean Laidely - Kangaroos

Mark Williams - Power Power

Alistair Clarkson - Hawthorn

Denis Pagan - Carlton

Kevin Sheedy - Essendon

Pearlman

Sid

Digger

Flea

Eastern Bloc

Send your votes to diggerafl@yahoo.com.au-- page break --

	DIGGER	Sid Schooner	Eastern Bloc	Crazy Fool	Flea	Pearlman	Most Favoured

Total	38	40	41	35	39	43	41

Rd. 5	Western B'dogs	Collingwood	Western B'dogs	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood
	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Tigers	Geelong	Geelong
	Adelaide	Adelaide	Adelaide	Carlton	Adelaide	Adelaide	Adelaide
	Essendon	Essendon	Essendon	Port Adelaide	Essendon	Essendon	Essendon
	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney
	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane
	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	St. Kilda
	Melbourne	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast