The spat at Collingwood appears to be over with ex player and coach Tony Shaw deciding that in the clubs interest he will not further express his thoughts on matters magpie.  Shaw was incensed that current Collingwood president, Eddie Maguire, stated that when he took over the reins along with current coach Mick Malthouse, they inherited "rat infested" culture at the club.  Shaw was the previous coach.

What is football club culture?  St. Kilda in the late seventies and early eighties was known/thought to have the disco culture.  Blond players such as Barker, Roberts, Morris and other were known as the party boys of the league and this reflected in their results, always near the bottom.  Geelong had inherited a "handbag" tag given to them as a result of seeming to be soft in tough games.  Was this the culture of the team or was the culture of the club formed by being the only provincial team in the competition and players could not even fart without it making head lines.  Hawthorn when coached by John Kennedy Snr., were known as Kennedy's Commandos due to the tough nature of their game.  Was this a cultural thing bought about by Kennedy being a street wisened policeman.

Is culture a historic thing or can the culture at clubs be changed, created or dismissed.

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Remiss of me last week not to mention that Western Bulldog Chris Grant was playing his 330^th game for the club.  This tally of games meant that Grant overtook Doug Hawkins record of most games played for Footscray/Western Bulldogs.  Grant who wears the number 3 jumper at the Dogs may continue on next year and looks a chance to bring up350 games for one club.  A true champion in every sense of the word, congratulations Chris.

The aforementioned Mick Malthouse is rumored to be stepping down at the end of 2006 with a stress related medical condition.  Who is in line for the Collingwood coaching job next season?  Who knows.

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Lasts weeks round of matches kicked off with the Saints hosting the Weagles at the rink.  The first half saw a tight hard fought contest with neither side being able to gain any advantage.  In what should have been a high scoring contest given the talent in both teams was more of a slog.  The game continued in this vain until the 24^th minute mark of third quarter when a Nick Riewoldt behind put the Saints within a point of the West Coast.  Over the next 10 minutes the Weagles had 50 to 22 possessions and scored 4 goals while the Saints remained scoreless.  The West Coast, led by Ben Cousins who had a game high 35 possessions, then ran out easy winners by 39 points.  St. Kilda's woes were further complicated with a broken leg to Matt Maguire.

Melbourne who were sitting pretty in third spot on the ladder were expected to beat bottom placed Carlton easily.  Carlton had upset the Demons in Round one but both sides fortunes had gone in opposite directions since then.  Of course, Carlton won again.  Melbourne's inaccuracy in front of goal did not assist the cause.  Once again Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola lead the way for the Blues with 4 majors.

Richmond kicked themselves out of the match in the first quarter in their clash with the Western Bulldogs.  This allowed the doggies to push on and set up a match winning lead.  The Tigers mounted a serious comeback in the final term but the Western Bulldogs held firm.  The goals were shared around in both teams and the Western Bulldogs have all but secured their first finals berth in 6 seasons.

The Sydney team are now in fourth spot on the ladder after a convincing win against Essendon in the harbor city last Saturday night.  Big Barry Hall was in fine fettle in front of goals for the Swans with a game haul of 6.  At the other end of the ground Bomber Scott Lucas who has been known to have a shot for goal from the half back flank kicked 4.  The Sydney team is looking very good for its fourth consecutive finals appearance.  Adam Goodes was good for Sydney.

The first 5 minutes of the game between Adelaide and Collingwood indicated that a high scoring match was in the offing.  Then it stopped.  Bad Ben Johnson started well for the ‘pies.  The game turned into a desperate battle with no team ever looking safe.  The Ravens eventually got up to win by 4 points with both teams only scoring 7 majors for the game.  Tarrant was goalless while Heath Shaw slotted one major.  Both teams will see September action.

Geelong has kept their thin final hopes alive and extinguished Brisbane's with a 17 point win in Brisbane.  Really, the Cats should have won this game by 10 goals, but another team this week suffered from very inaccurate kicking.  Mercurial Geelong forward Steve Johnson kicked 4 for the pussies but missed one from dead in front while, again, Daniel Bradshaw was the Lions best up forward with 4 as well.  Veteran Geelong player Peter Riccardi played well and kicked three goals.  Unfortunately, his testimonial dinner to be held in Melbourne has been cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.

The big savaloy, Saverio Rocca, lead his Kangaroos to a win over the fading Port Power with a 4 goal haul at the Telstra rink.  The ‘roos have now hopped over the Power to be in an awe inspiring 12^th place.  Damon White lobbed 4 goals for his team in a game that virtually meant nothing.

The Mentals, what are we going to do with them.  They have now won 5 games in a row and handed the hapless Hawks a thrashing in Subiaco.  Justin Longmuir showed a heartening return to form and along with the Wiz, Jeff Farmer, scored 4 goals.  Mark Williams back in front of the sticks kicked 4 for Hawthorn.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Seriously, what are we going to do about the draft with the bottom teams now sending players off for operations and appearing to not want to win games to get higher draft picks.  We all know the draft helps even up the competition and is needed but as supporters we want to see my team try to win every week.

Rich from Richmond

Dear Rick,

This really is a conundrum and we face it every year.  What is the purpose of the draft?  It is to give the weaker teams a chance to select the best available young players to enable them to become better teams.  I have to agree with Sydney coach Paul Roos on this one.  The teams should be grouped into 4 and then a lottery held to see what order they get their draft picks.  This way teams who finish 13^th to 16^th would all have a chance to have the first draft pick and in the previous year would still want to win not lose in the last few games.  The same system would be used for 9^th to 12^th, 5^th to 8^th and 1^st to 4^th.

Is it ANZAC day again already?  No, but in a ironic twist, Essendon and Collingwood kick off the round this week as Australian Viet Nam veterans are about to remember their deeds at Nui Dat.  And talking about wars, both coaches featured in this match have been in the wars recently.  Kevin Sheedy with his busted shoulder and Mick Malthouse with his stress.  I for one cannot see the Bombers having much chance of winning and the players minds will more than likely be on this poor season coming to a close.  Still, if they can get their forward line rolling they maybe a long odds chance.  Hard to have, Collingwood.

Third position Melbourne take on fourth position Sydney in the match of the round.  The Demons who do have a game in hand over the Swans have been depleted by injury.  Cameron Bruce, Travis Johnson and Russell Robertson are all in doubt and may join Aaron Davey and Byron Pickett in the stands.  Melbourne has won all 9 games they have played at the MCG this year and the Swans could stop this run.  The ‘G is also a happy hunting ground for the Swans and they are quietly going about their business.  For me, the Swans to win and jump over Melbourne into third position in light of their healthier percentage.

West Coast host the Kangaroos this Saturday and given their improved for in the last couple of weeks should easily account for the Shinboner's.  Dean Cox is available for the Weagles but should be rested for another week.  Sav Rocca with thoughts of becoming an NFL punter needs to at his best for the ‘Roos to have any show, which they do not, Weagles by 10 plus goals.

Richmond will welcome the Brisbane team to the rink on Saturday night.  With finals aspirations out of the way the Tiger's may relax a bit in front of goal and kick a match winning score.  The Lions looked very tired last week and playing on the still maligned rink surface will need to be at their best.  Michael Voss is unlikely to play for the Lions as he has stated that this ground makes it harder for him to come up for the next game.  Richmond to walk all over the Brisbane team and win easily.

The Western Bulldogs clock up some more frequent flyer points with a flight to Darwin to take on the Power.  The Power always come out and have a go but the Dogs will be to hot for them to handle.

Sundays round of matches are the ones most likely to have any bearing on the finals race.  In the early game, Adelaide plays host to Fremantle.  The Ravens have not been at their best the last two weeks and will be out to steady the ship.  Freo will be trying to win 6 on the trot, heavens above.  Andrew McLeod  looks set to return for the Ravens and will add spark and creativity to their game.  The Ravens to show why they are premiership hot pots.

A Fremantle loss will give Geelong the big chance to close the gap on them if they can overcome a dodgy looking St. Kilda outfit at the rink on Sunday.  The Saints looked a rabble last week and are more up and down than a Japanese girl at a Bukakke party.  The same can be said of Geelong of course and strong rumors have it that all is not well at tinsel city.  The Cats may regain Gary Ablett and Jarrod Rooke from injury while crackpot Cam Mooney is back from suspension (again).  In a flip of the coin, Geelong.

Yawn, ho hum, who gives a toss, a battle of the cellar dwellers is the final match of round 19.  Hawthorn versus Carlton at the ‘G.  Carlton look the form side going into the match and should continue on their winning ways with a win over Hawthorn.  Ah for the days of the commandos and strong Carlton teams.