round 16
July, 20th 2006 09:30 AM

Not much warmer down under but plenty to report. It was good to see a couple of games played in the rain and wet conditions as these type of conditions really teat the players.

The 50th reunion of the St. Mary's (GFL) 1956 premiership team went swimmingly. In accordance with predictions there was a lot of "in my day" etc., but with a crowd that combined recently retired players and way back to the ‘56 team there was plenty of banter about. The most common mention made during the day was that the players of today do not kick it forward often enough and that if you do not kick goals you cannot win. True words of wisdom.

The current day Saint players wore ‘56 replica jumpers to mark the day and the boys certainly looked dashing. In a wet and slippery day the Saints triumphed over Newtown and Chilwell by 10 points. Newtown is coached by former Geelong half back flanker Terry Bright who also coached St. Mary's in the ‘90's. Other former AFL players in attendance were wayward goal kicker Peter Jonhston (Melbourne and Geelong) and Murray Witcombe (Geelong). Guest speaker at the event was Jason McCartney who represented Collingwood, Adelaide and North Melbourne and who was seriously injured but survived the 2002 Bali bombings.

Digger is finally going to stick up for the umpires. Geelong players Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman are a bit hot under the collar because umpire Darren Goldspink gave then a bit of their own medicine in the Cats game last week against Port Power. Digger reckons that a bit of back chat from the umpires is okay and it also makes them more human. The umpires cop it each week from players of both teams and supporters and why not give a bit back. Rather a piece of lip from an umpire than a 50 metre penalty.

In that game, Geelong took three and a bit quarters to shake off a determined Port outfit and have kept their final chances alive. Young livewire Matthew Stokes was the spark in the last quarter to see the pussies sneak over the line.

Fremantle took up to the magpies and more with a solid win at the M.C.G. The game was a close affiar all day with the mentals sneaking away in the final stanza. The "Wiz", Jeff Farmer kicked 6 for the mentals who have quite a good record at the ‘G. Collingwood look in trouble and will need to win a couple soon to remain in the top 8 and see finals action. Chris Tarrant showed a bit of form for the 'Pies and booted 3 majors.

last Friday night saw Melbourne take on Richmond at the 'G. Melbourne were in control for the entire game and the leading light for them was Russel Robinson with 4 goals. This was a match winning effort in a low scoring game. A crowd of 60,000 turned up for the game. Richmond outscored the Demons in the final quarter and this made the score line look better than it was for the Tigers who lacked spark for most of the match. Cameron Bruce was unusually quiet for the Demons and maybe carrying an injury.

It took the Western Bulldogs until the last quarter to shrug off the persistent game team in their clash at the rink. With scores locked at 10.10.70 a piece at the lemon break it looked like the Blues could inflict the Doggies second straight loss. However that was not to be as the pups pulled out all stops in the final quarter to run away with the game by 5 goals. Unheralded Bulldog player Farren Ray was the best player on the ground but had plenty of support from veterans Scott West and Brad Johnston. Fevola was held to one goal for Carlton.

Raven Brett Burton had a great game last weekend and kicked 7 goals in his teams scratchy win over Hawthorn. He had had an allergic reaction to an ultra sound injection during the week but showed no sign of it in a grand performance. Ably supported by Johncock, it took the ravens until the final quarter to shake off the feisty Hawks. hawthorn seem to have shown great improvement since resigning coach Alistair Clarkson but have suffered gallant defeats against top side over the fortnight. Could be exciting time ahead for the Hawks. It will not hurt the ravens to have a sluggish one at this time of the year and their march towards the finals goes on. Sam Mitchell, fresh from his whack in the nuts last week was best for the Hawks.

Michael Jackson could have been in town last weekend with three thrillers played out in the space of 6 hours. Firstly, St. Kilda just got over the line by 3 points over a plucky Essendon side at the MCG. In murky, misty weather, the Bombers lead for most of the game before the Saints won it in the depths of the final quarter. Maybe the Bombers have forgotten how to win having suffred their 14th defeat in a row. Overall the Essendon team had more winners on the ground with Johnson, Lovett, Peverill and Stanton leading the way but in the end their failure to contain big Nick Riewoldt of the Saints made the difference. Riewoldt was outstanding for the tri-colors taking 15 marks for the match.

could have been in town last weekend with three thrillers played out in the space of 6 hours.Firstly, St. Kilda just got over the line by 3 points over a plucky Essendon side at the MCG. In murky, misty weather, the Bombers lead for most of the game before the Saints won it in the depths of the final quarter. Maybe the Bombers have forgotten how to win having suffred their 14th defeat in a row. Overall the Essendon team had more winners on the ground with leading the way but in the end their failure to contain big of the Saints made the difference. was outstanding for the tri-colors taking 15 marks for the match.

Umpires, umpires, umpires. Swans coach Paul Roos had his tongue some firmly planted in his cheek during his press conference that it was in danger of coming out his eyeball. The umpires paid 34 free kicks to the Weagles and only 18 to the Swans with chief knuckle head, Scott McLaren, paying 14-2 in favour of the home side, West Coast. Maybe Mclaren also gave himself Brownlow votes as an extra 16 kicks is like an extra player on the field. Having said that, the Swans were up by over 5 goals at the major break and should have been able to hang on. Again Chris Judd was the standout for the Weagles and for the Sydney team big Bazza Hall kicked 4. The Weagles in the death throes of the game by 2 points.

Michael Gardiner has played his last game for the Weagles. he apparently got pissed on Monday night, had a car accident that smashed up three other cars and has been cut from the team. maybe a swap between him and big mouth Akermanis is in the offing.

A real Junkyard Dog spray by Dean Laidley after the Kangaroo's were rolled by the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night. The coach was very critical of his players playing for themselves rather than following team rules and this he said coach them the match by 1 point to the Lions. The aforementioned Akermanis may be back in the coaches good books with 3 telling goals for the Lions and he was ably supported by Voss and Sherman. Mr. Snooze Thompson kicked three for the ‘roos but they had a dismal conversion rate up forward kicking 11.18 which virtually lost them the game. This game will have no bearing on the finals as both sides cannot make the playoffs come September.

ROUND 16 PREVIEW

With only 7 games of the home and away season to go, Round 16 could shape up as a season defining game for some teams. The Ravens are set to win the minor premiership but positions 7 to 10 are up for grabs and this week will see some of the impostors further shown out.

On Friday night the round opens with the Adelaide Ravens hosting the Kangaroos at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide. The ravens who are almost unbackable at 5/4 to win the flag will show no mercy to the Kangaroos and will rack up a big win. Playing at home will have the ravens fired right up and after a little splutter last week they will be back to their rampaging best.

Four games on Saturday sees two games for the bottom teams and 2 games which will have an effect on the finals positions.

Cellar dwellers Carlton and Essendon clash at the MCG on Saturday afternoon and this game will determine which team will finish on the bottom of the ladder, claim the wooden spoon, and get first pick in the draft. As much as I hate to say It, I feel that the Blues are the better performing team of the two and will sneak a win making it impossible for the ‘Dons to climb off the bottom. A hard fought game will see the Blues running out three goal winners.

In another game with no bearing on the finals, Brisbane host hawthorn at the ‘Gabba on Saturday night. hawthorn have been better over the last few weeks but still keep falling short. The Lions have some good young talent coming through and also a few wise old heads to hold things together. The Lions to win by 27 points.

The Weagles travel to the Dome on Saturday to meet a faltering Collingwood. Collingwood took it up to the Weagles in Pert earlier this year and will be keen to bounce back. The West Coast have not been playing well for over a month now but still keep coming away with wins. The Pharmacist will have timed their run into September action to the second and expect to see a renewed Weagles team from this week. The westerners to inflict more pain on the ‘Pies and win by about 4 goals.

Saturday night will see Richmond travel to the SCG to meet the Swans. Barry Hall is half as effective on the SCG as on other grounds but the Swans have small goal kicking forwards to cover that. If Bazza has a big game the Swans will win easily now that Joel Bowden has been suspended. Richmond always seem to struggle against Sydney and this will happen again. Swans in a canter.

St.Kilda may have tired legs after last weeks struggle but still should have enough in hand to match and beat the Powerless from Port. Warren Tredrea who holds the key to the Powers chances is struggling and the loss of ruck man Dean Brogan will severely hurt. The Saints to be in the top four after this weekend when they defeat the Power.

Geelong host the Western Bulldogs at the rink with both sides needing a win for their chances of playing finals. A win to the doggies will see them stay in the top 4 while a win to the Cats may see them in the 8 for the first time in quite a while. The Dogs are wracked by injury while the pussies have only one injury concern. This maybe the telling factor. Geelong in a close one.

A good clash is expected when Melbourne travel west to meet the Mentals in Perth. Melbourne has won 6 on the trot and the Mentals have had back to back wins. For no other reason than thinking that Freo can not win three in a row, Digger is tipping Melbourne. If it is a dry day the Demons will run Freo into the ground.

Full column back next week, until then, keep kicking,

Digger

 

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