Crazy Fool's Newsround - Diggers afl round 11

Diggers afl round 11
June, 09th 2006 00:33 AM

Erich Weiss, born on the 24^th of March, 1874, was the great escapologist Harry Houdini and last weekend was the A.F.L.'s celebration with 3 Houdini like escapes from defeat.

West Coast beats Geelong
Fremantle beats Richmond
Sydney beat the Kangaroos

Firstly, in what was a spineless, heartless and passionless display from Geelong, the first great escape. The Cats played like princes for 2 and a half quarters and paupers for the final quarter and a half. Turning a 54 point lead halfway through the third quarter into a 3 point loss was a disgrace. Enough said on this piss poor effort.

Hats off however to the Weagles and in particular, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Michael Braun who racked up 34 possessions between them in the final term.

Fremantle 15 points behind with barely 10 minutes to play put their "playing face" on and overrun the Tigers in the last few minutes. Certainly the umpires made Freo's task easier but a great win it was. Tiger coach Terry Wallace took umpire boss Jeff Geischan to take over 6 rule interpretations from the game and chief Muppet himself declared that his charges made mistakes in 3 of the 6 decisions.

Then on Sunday, the Swans who were down by 32 points halfway through the third quarter and kicking into a 5 goal wind in the final term, found their legs and ran right over the top of the disappointing Kangaroos. If Digger was Geelong coach Mark Thompson I would sit the team down and make them watch the Swans play and in particular big bad, bustling Barry Hall. Hall displays a passion for the game, kicking goals and winning. This passion is contagious and is passed onto the rest of the team. Well done to the Weagles, Fremantle and Sydney.

The rounds opener saw Adelaide host Essendon and the Ravens made mince meat out of the Bombers. Adelaide kicked 30 goals for the game and absolutely ran riot. The Bombers had no answers but to his credit, Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy does not employ a flood. The hurt will take a toll but by playing the game as it should be played (make a great team song that line) the young ‘Dons will soon have a cohesive and winning structure.

In a closer than expected game, the Western Bulldogs had a moderate win over Hawthorn. Both teams have some of their top players out and at times the game was quite sloppy and ragged. Mercurial on baller Scott West was racking up possessions again. It seems his less than flattering comments from Digger have been heeded. Another veteran Dog, Brad Johnson, was the stand out player in this game.

In the Saturday night block buster, Collingwood overcame a competitive Brisbane outfit. For the first time this year the ‘Woods have suffered some injuries and we will see if their rare form continues. Blake Caracella is in a neck brace for the next 5 weeks with a broken bone in his neck but his doctor is more concerned with spinal bruising. The Magpies finished the game with only one fit player on the interchange bench and were lead to their victory by mercurial veteran FIGJAM. Jono Brown kicked 4 for the Lions.

Even with a spirited fight back in the second half, Carlton still went down to Port Adelaide by 6 goals. If the Blues can find someone decent to support Brendan Fevola they may start to climb the ladder with a few wins. Lade, Ebert B., and Cornes C. were the architects of the Powers win.

Okay, okay, okay, so Digger makes mistakes. Last week I had Luke Ball as being both the Saints skipper and out for the season. In fact that should have been Lenny Hayes. Xin loi.

The Saints versus the Demons, heaven or hell, to Da Vinci or not to Da Vinci. However way you look at it, the clash between St. Kilda and Melbourne last Sunday was a ripper. Demon captain, David Neitz, broke the all time game record for his team and led them to victory with 8 goals to his name. Not surprisingly he also is the clubs all time leading goal scorer. Again, Dal Santo was great for the Saints but is lacking support from the likes of Gehrig, Milne and others.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Digger Oi!

I see that one of our former regular visitors, that nice Mr. Neitz, broke the club record of games played for Melbourne last week. I find it strange that a club with such a long history has not had a player play 300 games. Are there other clubs without 300 game players? For your information, I am no longer in Public Relations at the Casino. I am a maid in house keeping and find this job more financially rewarding.

Regards,

Bich Ngoc, Melbourne

Dear Bich Ngoc,

Nice to hear from you again. Newer clubs such as Fremantle and Port Adelaide have not had any player to play 300 games for them. Surprisingly South Melbourne/Sydney have not had one either. From memory the West Coast are in the same boat. Here is a list of the top 10 of those in the 300 (or over) club for one team.

Michael Tuck (426 for Hawthorn), Kevin Bartlett (403 for Richmond), Simon Madden (378 for Essendon), Craig Bradley (375 for Carlton), Bruce Doull (348 for Carlton), Doug Hawkins (329 for Footscray), Kevin Murray (333 for Fitzroy), Leigh Matthews (332 for Hawthorn), John Nicholls (325 for Carlton) and Ian Nankervis (325 for Geelong).

I have not mentioned current day player Robert Harvey of St. Kilda who I think has equaled or overtaken Nankervis.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Other players have played over 300 games in the VFL/AFL but have achieved the feat by playing with more than one club. Who are they, what clubs did they play for and how many games did they play for each club? Clue - one appears in the above list and three others would have made the Top10 if 2 clubs were not involved.

Answers to diggerafl@yahoo.com.au A nice prize awaits the winner.

Round 11 kicks off Friday night with Geelong taking on Essendon. The two most disappointing teams of the 2006 season so far, a win would be welcome relief for both coaches. Geelong are obviously the most talented team of the two but talent alone is not enough. They talk united both do not display this. Essendon is simply rebuilding. Geelong should win if their first half effort of last week is the guide. Geelong.

Richmond hosts the Kangaroos at the ‘G on Saturday with both teams returning to Melbourne from interstate sojourns. The Tigers are showing great promise and will be strengthened by the return of Brett Deledio. The Kangaroos showed fight in the second and third terms last week but overall have been very disappointing. Digger tips a Richmond win.

The Ravens clock up the frequent flyer points this week, traveling to the ‘Gabba to take on the Lions. Adelaide are reputed to be the best runners of the ball in the league and will be hard to stop. Digger feels that Brisbane at home on a Saturday night will be hard to stop. Brisbane in a close one.

St. Kilda is also on the road this week and will meet Sydney at the other ‘G, the S.C.G. The Saints were gallant in defeat last week and would have been cheered to see Justin Kosnichke back on the training track this week. Sydney mid fielders Fosdike, Kirk and Ablett will send the Swans forward regularly and having the home ground advantage will prove decisive in the end. Swans by 2 goals.

Port Adelaide hosts Hawthorn and this game can only go one way. Port Power.

The Western Bulldogs host Fremantle at the rink on Sunday. This will be Freos's big chance to have a solid win in Melbourne as the Doggies have been hit by a bug that has run though the club. The coach has said, "I am not a medical man but it is only a 24 hour thing and they are throwing up and got the runs". A bad bowl of pho Digger thinks. Fremantle against a tiring Bulldog team.

The Ravens kicked the highest score of the season so far last week but this will be beaten by the Weagles this week. The Blues have the blues and will be absolutely thrashed, humiliated and sent on their way home by a dominant West Coast team.

We have to wait until Monday for the match of the round, that being Melbourne versus Collingwood at the ‘G. Both teams have been in great form and are up near the top of the table. For no other reason other than I hate to tip Collingwood, Digger is going for the Demons.

Finally for this week, Digger was extremely pissed off to see that the Match Review Panel offered Geelong star, Gary Ablett a reprimand for a totally legal and fair hip and shoulder on David Wirrapanda. Quite rightly, the Geelong F.C. and Ablett chose to fight this charge.

The reprimand was cancelled and it just shows that the attempt by the Commandant and his minions to completely sanitise the game is still as strong as ever.

crazy fool

Eastern Bloc

Sid Schooner

Digger

Pearlman

Flea

	DIGGER	Sid Schooner	Eastern Bloc	Crazy Fool	Flea	Pearlman	Most Favoured

Total	45	53	53	47	52	55	53

Rd.11	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong	Geelong
	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond	Kangaroos	Richmond	Richmond	Richmond
	Brisbane	Brisbane	Adelaide	Brisbane	Adelaide	Adelaide	Brisbane
	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney	St. Kilda	Sydney	Sydney	Sydney
	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide	Port Adelaide
	Fremantle	West. B'dogs	West. B'dogs	West. B'dogs	Western B'dogs	West. B'dogs	West. B'dogs
	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast	West Coast
	Melbourne	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood	Collingwood