Crazy Fool's Newsround - Digger's afl r.12

Digger's afl r.12
June, 15th 2006 23:28 PM

Earlier in the year we reported that Essendon had recruited a Japanese player and after representing the Bombers in a practice match against the Sydney Swans he was sent to Albury to learn more footy. Since then we have found out that he cannot get a game in the firsts and is in the dew kickers. Well he must be the saddest person in Australia this week after the Socceroos blitzed Japan at the soccer World cup. A Japanese citizen, playing twos in the bush and he follows Essendon. What a week for him. Bloody cold up Albury way as well.

This week we see 6 of the 8 matches being played with the other 2 from the split round being played next weekend. Round 12 is heralded as the "Welcome to the A.F.L." matches where the Commandant Andrew and his cronies talk up the meaning of by explaining they are looking for first time attendees to A.F.L matches of migrants (new Australians) to the game. In 2005, they say that 2,700 people of ethnic origin attended the "Welcome" round of matches.

We in Saigon are leading the way in our Crazy Fools/Blue Gecko tipping competition. Ms. Andrea Watson has extended her lead to 4 games and is the inform tipster in the competition.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

No jibberish here me ol' cobra, just a jibber jabber pertaining to the outstanding tipping competition. Can the three wheeler be beaten in your jive arse, calamitous, "I can't pick a rabbit out of hat, but I can pull a hare out of my bum", choosathon.

C. Fool, Coming from a caravan near you.

Dear C.,

Simply put, yes. However, with 11 rounds down and 11 to go it will be touch and go. A lead of 4 points will hold Andrea in good stead but a couple of bad weeks combined with someone getting a couple of bonus points could see her coming back to the field. And C., please keep your paints on, we do not want to see your hairy pumpkin derrier.

Regards,

Digger

Geelong got over the line against Essendon last round, kicked 20 goals for the game but gave their supporters a real scare during the third quarter. Hats off again to Professor Sheedy for refusing to flood. Gary Ablett Jr. was the key to the Cats with 4 goals, 2 each coming when the pussies needed a boost.

Richmond showed the Kangaroos a thing or two in their match. Tiger big man Troy Simmonds has been a revelation this season and could vie for all Australian selection come years end. It was also a grand return from Nathan Brown kicking one goal from outside the 50 metre arc and dashing here, there and everywhere. If Dean Laidley could get his mid fielders to deliver the ball with a bit more precision to ‘roo forward Nathan Thompson, a few wins are around the corner. As it was, Thompson, who had kicked 5 goal1 behind ‘til three quarter time and hit the post three time in the final quarter, was the Kanga's best forward.

The Ravens go from strength to strength and had a solid victory over the Brisbane Lions in Brisbane. The late withdrawal of power forward Jonathan Brown did not help the Lions cause. We will see plenty of the Ravens come September.

The umpires were at it again in Sydney last Saturday night and this time it was a goal umpire. Swans 2005 hero, Leo Barry, claims a kick by St. Kilda debutant, Michael Rix, brushed the goal post when awarded a goal in the first quarter. Sydney coach, Paul Roos, says it does not matter anyway as his charges had plenty of time to win the game. In a game played in heavy rain it turned out a very low scoring affair with the Saints winning 52-50.

The boys in teal, black and white, Port Power, effortlessly shrugged off Hawthorn and Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson, was rewarded with a 2 year contract extension. If the Hawks put a few wins together he may have the gig for life. The Power have a beauty in Surjan, who keeps surging across the mid field and laying off passes to Power spear head Warren Tredrea. Tredrea is slowly returning to top form and will prove a head ache for opposition full backs in the weeks to come. Good to see Spida Everitt with a half decent haircut leaving it up to Chance Bateman and Mark Williams to let the locks flow. What sort of name is Chance anyway? He is know as The Master around the club.

The Western Bulldogs shrugged the bug and Dockers in their match. Guess who racked up the possessions again? Of course it was Scott West. Fremantle had a huge chance to win on the road but blew it again. Rumor has it that the members are voting to change the clubs name to Fremental!! The mentals could be without prime mover Antoni Grover for the rest of the season. Wasn't Grover a muppet?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Where was Fremental captain Peter Bell born?

The Weiss Coast were at it again in their match against Carlton at Subiaco last Sunday. Fresh from coming from 9 goals down to win 2 weeks ago, the Weagles came back from 6 goals down last week and had Digger jumping up and down listening to it on the radio. Had the Blue baggers got up, both remaining tipsters in the Knockout comp. would have been knocked out and another jackpot would have occurred. There is a reason why Carlton is hated. Weagle coach, the Pharmacist says his current team will not be at their best for another 3 years. That is scary.

The final match last week was the Melbourne Demons against the Collingwood Magpies in the Queens Birthday block buster at the ‘G. Interesting to note that while Australia celebrated their monarchs birthday about a month after the event, the Thais had celebrations of their own. In a very interesting manner, all media outlets stated that the Thai king had been sitting on the throne for 60 years. Either very constipated or he needs to get the Imodium out. And well may you ask what has this got to do with football. The Demons lost a player in the tsunami in Thailand. Close enough. The Dees have some fine young talent in Lyndon Dunn and Mark Jamar and Aaron Davey will be a superstar. Jesus Chris "Demon" Superstar. A couple more injuries to the ‘Pies occurred and coach Malthouse will be tested over the next few weeks.

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THE NAME MALTHOUSE HAS ITS ORIGINS?

In what should be a good game tonight, St. Kilda takes on Adelaide. St. Kilda's gritty and hard fought win over the Swans last week just may have taken a lot out of them. Similarly, the Ravens traveled to Brisbane last week and maybe tired. The Ravens coach Neil Craig has been a real revelation with his no nonsense approach. This games looks to be a battle of the defenses and Digger thinks that the Saints can prevail in a close one.

The Geelong team takes the drive up the Princess Highway to Tulla for the long haul flight to Perth to tackle the mentals. Captain Steven "Far" King returns for the Geelong team and will probably last the first quarter. In form mental ruck man, Aaron Sandilands, is a huge obstacle for the Cats with his 7 foot frame. Fremantle play well at home and Geelong do not travel well having won 2 of their last 21 interstate games. The Cats to win.

Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs is an interesting clash. Reports that Jonanthan Brown has a broken back have became misted as he has been named in the team. Will Chris Grant, who has his own back problems, play for the ‘Dogs. Given that it is a sunny day, Brisbane has the height advantage to win. In an aside, the Lions coach Leigh Matthews has received an apology from Jason Akermanis after an email from his web site labeled the coach a f**k wit. Akermanis explained that it is his brother running the web site.

Port Adelaide host the Weagles and the Weagles cannot afford to give away another massive start at AAMI Stadium. Mr. Smug had that smug look back on his dial last week and let's hope it is wiped off this week. West Coast have too many guns and once again the Port will become powerless. Did you see all the empty seats at their home game last week?

Richmond took off on Thursday morning for their match against Hawthorn in Tasmania this week. The Tige's are looking okay at this stage with the Bowden brothers, Joel and Patrick starting many forward thrusts from defence. The Hawks will go into this game without Spida who has been their most consistent player for the last 3 seasons. Richmond will continue on their roll and have a convincing win.

The final match this weekend in the split round looks like a romp in the park for Melbourne when they meet Essendon. Jobe Watson and James Hird should both return for the Bombers but Melbourne will have too many top guns to mow down the Bombers. Cameron Bruce is favored for the Brownlow at the half way mark of the season rather than the beginning. While Essendon continue to build for the future they will take some hammerings along the way and this week will be one of them.

Digger selects Sydney and the Kangaroos for next weeks games that will finish the split round and you will get the views next week.

Also next week Digger will revisit the crystal ball musings of our experts and will see what a change 11 weeks can make.

	DIGGER	Sid Schooner	Eastern Bloc	Crazy Fool	Flea	Pearlman	Most Favoured

Total	50	58	59	51	58	61	58

Rd.12	St. Kilda	Adelaide	St. Kilda	St. Kilda	Adelaide	Adelaide	St. Kilda
	Geelong	Fremantle	Fremantle	Geelong	Fremantle	Fremantle	Fremantle
	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane	West. B'Dogs	Brisbane	Brisbane	Brisbane
	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	West Coast
	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond
	Melbourne	Melbourne	Melbourne	Essendon	Melbourne	Melbourne	Melbourne
	Kangaroos	Kangaroos	Kangaroos	Kangaroos	Carlton	Kangaroos	Kangaroos
	Sydney	Sydney	Collingwood	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney