Digger's Highlights 2006

Match of the Year -  Without a doubt the match up of the year was the 2006 Grand Final between the Weagles and the Swans.  Close hard fought and right down to the wire.  Further highlights from this game was Daniel Chick's outstanding efforts in the final term.

Battle of the Year - Would have to be the two matches between the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.  Two matches, one to each team and a each time the margin was a point.

Hillbilly of the Year - A close thing this one.  Nominees included Ben Johnson, Chris Tarrant and Michael Gardiner.  A post season binge from another Weagle in Ben Cousins gives him the thumbs up.  The silence on this out of Perth was deafening.

Recruitment of the Year - Collingwood have given future fodder to commentators and sub editors alike with three of their selection in the 2007 draft.  Their selections included Brad Dick, Shannon Cox and Tyson Goldsack.  Looking forward to a Pie game being umpired by Umpire Head.

Stuff up of the Year - And the nominees are, Sirengate, the complete balls up in Launceston.  We are Fair gate, a wimp decision by the Cadre to award the Sirengate game to Fremantle.  Fevolagate, the handling by the Cadre of "The Fev's" departure or almost departure from Ireland to Australia.   Geelong's season from Round 3 onwards.  And the winner is - Richmond's recruitment of Kent Kingsley.

Soap Opera of the Year -  Oh and how the mighty have fallen.  The Carlton Football Club continues to plumb the depths of mediocrity with board squabbles, trying to sack the coach, the coach trying to get sacked, board squabbles and Denis and Barry not talking.  At least they got the first draft pick (and probably will next year again).

Yobbo's of the Year - Although a close race between the Raven and Fremental supporters it does go to the ‘mental supporters given their penchant for abusing their own players just as much as the opposition.

Sook of the Year - of course goes to the Gaelic Amateur Football Association for crying, pouting and generally whinging about being beat up by the Australian team.  Series now suspended.

Turn Up of the Year - Our resident pommy Sheila, Andrea Watson, winning the Crazy Fool football tipping competition.  Hang your head in shame fellas.

Bump of the Year - He copped a beauty and then gave a beauty.  Justin Kosnichke's hit on the umpire in a VFL reserves match would have to be the most embarrassing thing he has ever done on a footy field.  Theatre at its best.

Dirty Laundry of the Year - "Down at Kardinia Park", Geelong honcho Brian Cook and vege man Frank Costa conducted an open review of the clubs weak performance in 2006.  The boot studder was quizzed, the cleaner was grilled and the kid selling the Footy Record was hauled over coals.  Result, Bomba Thompson had to much to do so sack the mid field coach.

Put in Reverse -  Again Geelong comes up the winner.  Digger can still not fathom how a team can lead by 9 goals half way though the 3^rd quarter and lose.  Can anyone out there help me?

Didn't See it Coming - Grant Thomas was gob smacked when sacked by the Saints even though they had been searching for another coach for months.

Special mention for the season must go to Commandant Andrew (pull ya head in), Jason Akermanis please write your own website, Laura Bingle please be a bit more discreet, Sam Newman or more appropriately MMM for sacking him for telling it how it is and also Bich Ngoc from Crown Casino.

Thanks to all Digger's regular contributors and the tipping team who will be back in 2007 bigger and better than ever.

And keep those emails going to sportstoday@3aw.com.au or rhorowitz@3aw.com.au and tell Gerard and Dwayne that Digger from Saigon is your favorite AFL blogger in the world and that they need to include his views on their radio show.

Seasons Greetings to All,

Digger in the Outer