round 1
March, 20th 2008 03:56 AM

So tanking has a new name - List Management. The AFL Commission found nothing wrong with Carlton managing their list at the end of last season to ensure that they lost games and end up with a priority draft pick. Yet they give Sydney coach Paul Roos a hard time for cracking a funny about not trying to win a pre-season NAB cup game. It still seems as if Commandant Andrew has a real big beef with Roos.

By the time most of you are reading this the first 2 games of the round will be over. The AFL have new software that allows them to tweak the fixturing. They have been tweaking for years.

This new software has allowed them to have for only the 3^rd time in history the bottom team from last year playing the second bottom team from last season in the opening round where the reigning premier plays the runner up. Confused! Additionally, where as the AFL like to give the reigning premier their season opener at home, today you will see Port with the home game as the Cats do not have lights at their ground. I believe that is called fixture management. If you look up fixture management in the dictionary it says - maximising the television audience. Anything goes.

Chris Judd plays his first game for the Carlton team tonight but his presence will not be enough to give the Blues a win. Richmond will get the season off to a good start by winning a close one at the ‘G with Nathan Brown leading the charge. The tigers to prevail by 13 points.

Later tonight we will see if Geelong is suffering a hangover from last years highs. It would be easy to see Geelong suffering same but Digger thinks that wiser heads prevail at Kardinia Park in the present. Can Port forget the nightmare that was the Grand Final? Mr. Smug seems to think so. This clash should be a close one but the class of Geelong should see them sneak over the line.

An interesting clash pits Collingwood against Fremantle on Saturday arvo. Digger expects the Woods to slide this year and who knows with the Dockers. In Melbourne Diggers sees Collingwood holding on in another close one.

A daunting task for Brisbane first up when they travel to Perf to take on the judderless Weagles. Apparently the Chemist has the Weagles buzzing in all the right ways and they should prove too hot to handle for the Lions. Expect big things from Brisbane this year but not this week.

St. Kilda versus Sydney is the clash of the round for mine and it should be a rip snorter. The Saints have arguably the most potent forward line in the comp. while the Swans will be back to their shut it down and wear them down best. Second favourites for the flag, St. Kilda will need to win this opener and they should do so handsomely. The Saints by 5 goals.

The Western Bulldogs play host to Adelaide on Sunday and the scraggers will need to be at their best against the Ravens. Digger expects a big year for the ‘dogs and says they will start off well and have a big win here. Speed is their creed and they will run the opposition off their feet. A big 10 goal win for the Western Bulldogs.

Only one result is possible in the Hawthorn versus Melbourne clash and that is a win to the Hawks. The Demons have nothing that impresses Digger while the Hawk forward line could easily rival St. Kilda's as the most potent. An eight goal victory to the boys from Glenferry.

Finally, on Monday, North Melbourne meet Essendon in what should be an interesting match. It is hard to get a real good handle on how these 2 teams will go in 2008 and this game may go someway to unfogging the crystal ball. Expect a free flowing game with high scores being the order of the day. In this case Digger reckons the Essendon forwards have a slight advantage and this should get them over the line.

AFL coverage from Australia Network this year is a joke. We will see the night games at 1.00am in the morning. The only ones happy about this are the egg sellers. See the response below from a bloke called Heath Watt. A few watts short in my opinion.

Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:16 PM
To: Heath Watt
Subject: AFL Coverage on Australia Network
Importance: High

Dear all

Thank you for your comments regarding changes to the 2008 sports coverage on Australia Network. To expedite a response I am writing at once to all who have written directly to me and as such cannot not respond to individual points. Be assured that all of your emails have been passed on to the Head of Programming and the Chief Executive for their review.

As you would be aware there are numerous changes to the schedule for sport in 2008. The changes have an impact on all sports and do not only impact AFL coverage. The changes to the AFL schedule will see one less match broadcast per week and shifting the broadcast time for two matches. The current schedule has been made based on numerous factors including the mandated positioning of Australia Network by DFAT, our understanding of our primary and secondary audience preferences, financial implications, programming efficiency and time zones. Australia Network is not a sports channel and as such we cannot revert to a sports only schedule during Australian winter sports seasons.

We constantly review the schedule to maximise the viewing experience. The Programming Department is currently reviewing the possibility of achieving improvements to the schedule it can deliver to AFL viewers. Should we be able to make improvements to the schedule for AFL viewers, they will be announced through australianetwork.com/sportslounge and the Sports Lounge Newsletter. I encourage you to keep across this site for information on the AFL, Rugby and NRL coverage in 2008.

Should you have further comments, now or in the future, regarding the coverage of AFL or other programming on Australia Network, I recommend that you make the comment through the Australia Network "Contact Us" system located on the website at http://australianetwork.com/about/contact.htm. This system provides Australia Network with the ability to review overall comments and trends and ensure that the sentiments of emails are not lost in an individual's email inbox. Further emails made directly to Australia Network staff on this issue will not receive a response.

I hope that you get an opportunity to enjoy all sport on Australia Network this year and you join us through the associated Dream Team Competitions at http://australianetwork.dreamteamafl.com/ and http://australianetwork.super14dreamteam.com/.

All the best.

Heath Watt
Chief Operating Officer
Australia Network

Now Digger would like to here from anyone who knows of a Viet Namese person who watches Australia Network or if you are from elsewhere in Asia about locals who watch it. I know of none.

I also like the way he got a plug in for their Dream Team comps.

But in breaking news,

In an email just received by Austrade, the CEO of Australia Network, Mr Bruce Dover, has confirmed that the current (crazy) TV coverage of the AFL is "only until April 11 when normal transmission resumes".

Just what "normal transmission" is remains to be seen.

Digger suggests a massive email campaign to the Ministers in charge of DFAT, which in fact is two ministries,

Minister for Foreign Affairs - The Hon Stephen Smith MP