BRrrrrrrrrr, it's cold in Victoria. The state is still in drought but bloody cold all the same.

The Commandant is doing well. It has just been announced that Commandant Andrew has received a 39% pay increase and is now on $780,000 AUD per annum. The increase was given by the Commission as he met a strict performance criteria in 2005. See the AUD wage comparisons below,

Est. 1 - 1.5 million AUD - John O'Neill, CEO Football Federation Australia (Soccer)

ESt. 400,000 AUD - David Gallop, CEO National Rugby League

800,000 + AUD - AFL players, Anthony Koutifides, Nathan Buckley, James Hird and Micahel Voss

380,000 AUD Angus Houston, Chief of Australian Defence Force

310,000 AUD - John Howard, Australian Prime Minister

Seems that sport rules the roost when it come to Australia's pay packets.

Last weeks round of games kicked off when the Mental's hosted Essendon at Subiaco. All in all a pretty awful game and the Bombers suffered their 13th straight loss. It was a high scoring affair and will help the mentals percentage which could be an important matter come finals time.

Former AFL player and now media commentator, Gary Lyon, has accussed Essendon and their coach, Kevin Sheedy, of tanking games to improve their draft selections for the best youngsters. In typical blustery style, Sheedy has hit back at the claims and says he is all out to win but will still continue to blood young players. The round 16 clash between Essendon and Carlton is being touted as the Bryce Gibbs Cup. This match may well determine who finishes on the bottom of the ladder and most experts believe that Gibbs will be the number one draft pick.

Melbourne who played their home game against Brisbane in Brisbane were dealt a fright by the Lions in the first half. Daniel Bradshaw was on fire early for the Lions and kicked 3 in the first quarter. It was up to Demon skipper David Neitz to steady the ship and in the second half the Demons played like they had in previous weeks to take out a close one. Play of the day was from Brisbane full back Mal Michaels who kicked an own goal (rushed behind) with a brilliant kick from 15 metres out.

The Richmond Tigers travelled to Adelaide to take on Port Power and snuffed out the Power. It was the first time in 9 attempts that Richmond have defeated the Power and the win had them replacing Mr. Smug's lot in the eight. Power's central play maker Peter Burgoyne did his hammy again and will be sorely missed. All down hill for Port while the Tigers are looking good.

Geelong had one of the most accurate kicking games for many a year (23.4.142) when they delivered a thrashing to Carlton. Young Gary Ablett ran out of petrol on the way to the ground and had to hitch hike bach to a servo to fill up a Jerry can. He was 10 minutes late for the team meeting but shrugged off his team mates jeers by kicking three goals in the opening term. Late inclusion Matthew McCarthy kicked 5 for the Cats and once again Fevola was the shining light for the Blues with 4. Dennis Pagan, coach of Carlton, was really disappointed.

A close call from a boundary umpire could have cost Hawthorn an upset win over the Weagles. The ball was clearly over the line, the boundary umpire was well behind play, play on was called, the Weagles kicked a goal and hit the front after trailing all day. Surely it is time for 4 boundary umpires. Highlight of this game was Weagle Daniel Kerr whacking Hawk Sam Mitchell in the knackers and only receiving one week from the tribunal as he said he was trying to hit him in the thigh. AN ABSOLUTE JOKE!! Chris Judd and Luke Hodge were the respective stand outs for their teams. Good effort Hawks but do not tell their coach Alistair Clarkson that.

Collingwood have now lost 3 of their past 4 and supporters and media experts are calling for the head of Chris Tarrant. He has the support of coach Malthouse but not anybody else. No goals from his past three games and dragged last Sunday. On the other hand St. Kilda are gearing up at the right end of the season and still have Hamill and Kosnitchke to return. A 10 goal win to the Saints and not much to offer from Collingwood.

Reigning premiers Sydney went down at home again this time to 2006 premiership favourites the Ravens. The Ravens midfield had 45 more effective disposals than their foes and on the small S.C.G. this proved to be decisive. The spoils were shared in the Adelaide team with 10 individual goal scorers and Swan key forward Barry Hall failed to bother the scorers. Things are looking crook in the Harbour city. Diggers selection (latest) for the Brownlow Medal, Raven Simon Goodwin was again best on ground.

The Kangaroos caught the Western Bulldogs on the hop last Sunday with the doggies blowing an opportunity to get a place in the top 4. The dog's were a lethargic looking team with the big win against the Weagles the week before taking its toll. Troy Makepeace was the most effective player on the ground. He had 24 disposals and only missed the target once. Nathan Thompson kicked another 5 goals. The Western Bulldogs only had one player of note and that was Matthew Robbins, Christopher's brother.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

There is no letter of the week this week as Digger forgot to tell the postie were to deliver.

The AFL fashion police are at it again. Bulldogs, Scott West and Daniel Giansiracusa have been fined 2,500 AUD each for wearing short socks. Matthew Robbins was also under scrutiny but escaped the crackdown. Nick Dal Santo of the Saints was also under investigation but proved that his long socks were folded down. 5,000 AUD fines are in the offing.

Rumor floating around Geelong at the moment is that the CFN/BG footy tipping leader Ms. Andrea Watson has been spotted around Kardinia Park and maybe offered a position at Geelong.

Digger has to go out and see the local lads train soon so this weeks preview will be short and to the point.

Friday night the MCG co-tenants do battle and even though the Tigers are looking strong, Melbourne should prove too good.

St. Kilda will inflict another hiding to Essendon when they meet at MCG on Saturday.

Adelaide with further improve their healthy percentage and dish out a savage beating on the Hawks.

The toughest one of the week sees the Kangaroos and Brisbane meet at the rink on Saturday night and the ‘roos to put four on the trot together.

Sydney's season is on the line when they fly to Perth to take on the Weagles who are not travelling much better. Home ground advantage will see the Perth lads over the line in a tough hard fought match.

Geelong will rekindle their faint finals hopes with a large win over the Powerless at K park on Sunday. Look for Digger in the crowd.

The Western Bulldogs will bounce back (in their long socks) and thrash Carlton.

And finally, Fremantle will win away from home and defeat the plummeting magpies.

Until next week, Digger.