When to retire or when to keep playing on another year?  That ponderous question is one only seasoned veterans and normally stars of the game have to answer as old father time catches up with them.  Do I keep going and wind up dropping out as an afterthought or do I retire and go out on top?  Do I have anything to offer or is it a case of I know no other thing?  James Hird who is ranked as one of the greatest Bombers ever has decided to go on for one more year.  Jimmy who indicated mid season that this would be his last year had been persuaded by the Essendon coaching staff to go again in 2007.  Glen Archer who cracked a shoulder a few weeks ago has decided to go again in 2007.  Silly bugger could have had a free trip to Saigon if his decision was made 3 weeks ago.  Anthony Koutifides will play on in 2007 although relinquishing the Carlton captaincy and I dare say a few dollars.  Cat veteran Peter Riccardi has had that decision made for him when he again tore his hammy last Saturday.  Ricco described himself as a battler when interviewed this week signs off as Geelong's third highest game player after John "Sam" Newman and Ian Nankervis.  Others will have to make that decision in the next few weeks and it will be interesting to see who goes gracefully and who is shoved.

Scribes have been writing for weeks that the bottom teams are "tanking" in order to finish lower and get better draft picks.  Results are proving otherwise.

In a low scoring encounter last Friday night, Essendon played with great cause to upset the finals bound Collingwood in a big upset.  It was the baby Bombers who lead the way especially Courtney Johns with three big goals.  He was ably supported by Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Brett Stanton.  There was no-one of note for the faltering Magpies.

It sounded like Pulp Fiction at the MCG at one stage when Brown, Green and White featured in one passage of play for the Demons in their highly entertaining match V the Swans.  Then the call was Jolly Goodes as the Swans cleared from a centre bounce once again.  The Swans won the game through their forwards Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin and Melbourne was well served by the ginger haired and wonderfully named Matthew Bate.  The Swans march on to September action, looking good.

It took the West Coast until the final quarter to shake off the pesky Kangaroos over in Perth.  In the end it was the class of the Weagles again led by Judd and Cousins that told in the end.  Again Mr. Tired was the leading goal scorer for the Kanga's and he has been one of the bright spots in this most disappointing of seasons.

As predicted by Digger, Richmond without pressure on them opened up and absolutely smacked Brisbane on Saturday night.  The Tigers led by 79 points at the long break before winning by 82 points in this rout.  Patrick Bowden must have a chance in winning Charlie this year.  In an incredible first quarter he racked up 19 possessions.  Matty Richardson kicked a 6 bag haul.  Best for Brisbane was Justin Sherman.

It was hot, it was humid and it was sticky.  On a typical Darwin night the Port Power over run a tired looking Bulldog outfit by 14 points.  The one goal to 5 goal last quarter in favor of the Power has all of a sudden made the ‘Dogs look unhealthy.  While still a monty to make the finals their campaign maybe a short lived one.

There would have been a few Hail Mary's and Our Father's being uttered in the City of Churches this week following the Mentals great win over the Ravens at AAMI Stadium last Sunday.  Suddenly the Ravens look very vulnerable.  Without Burton, Ricciuto and late withdrawal Biglands the Ravens are struggling.  This is not to denigrate Fremantle who played terrific footy.  The Wiz Jeff Framer is in career best consistent form and Pavlich and Byron Schammer are starring as well.

Geelong's season of disappointment continued with another piss poor effort over the St. Kilda team.  The most pleasing aspect for St. Kilda coach Grant Thomas must have been that the Saints had 11 individual goal kickers.  Enough said.

They are a happy team at Hawthorn after a 4 goal win on Carlton last Sunday.  Lance "Buddy" Franklin kicked 6 for the Hawks and is a super star in the making.  He was ably supported by goal sneak Mark Williams with 4.  Carlton who thought about trading Brendan Fevola at the end of last season must be thinking they got one thing right this year when they kept him.  He kicked 8 out of his teams 13 goals and now has 77 for the season to lead the goal scorers by 15.

GRATUITOUS PROMOTION OF THE WEEK

Dear Digger,

Is the Saigon Australian Rules Football Club holding their annual Grand Final Brunch in 2006.  Who is the guest speaker and what are the details.

Regards,

Iwana Fosters from Singapore

Dear Iwana,

What a timely letter you have sent to your humble servant Digger.  I have spoken to Darren Cotter and he has informed me that the Foster's AFL Grand Final Brunch will again be held at the Legend Hotel on Saturday the 30^th of September.  This year former Essendon and Brisbane legend Roger Merrett will grace the shores of Saigon and entertain us all.  Tickets will be available soon.  You can reserve your tickets for this "must go" event by calling Darren on 0913803517 or sending Digger an email at diggerafl@yahoo.com.au

Digger

Round 20 sees only mathematical solutions to the final 8 changing with probably the Western Bulldogs in any danger of missing.  Collingwood should hang on as they play bottom teams.

Let's kick it off with the Port Power clash versus the wobbly Collingwood at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.  Bad boy Chris Tarrant looks to be out of the Magpie side with a shin complaint.  His mate Alan Didak was the latest ‘Pie to hit the headlines, being involved in a slanging match with his bird at a night club last week.  Digger is going for a Power victory as they are playing at home and the players will be out to be retained on the list next year.

First game on Saturday sees the Sydney boys traveling all the way to Geelong.  The meek Cats have a point to prove but are probably not hard enough or dedicated enough to get over the Swans.  The Swans have not won at Kardinia Park since 1999 but in fairness have only played there since.  The Swans are traveling too well for the Cats but with a fickle team like Geelong you just never know.  However, the Swans for me.

The Western Bulldogs host Adelaide at MCG on Saturday afternoon.  The Ravens will be keen to prove the last three weeks are just a blur while the tiring ‘Dogs would have had their energy further sapped by playing in the Darwin heat last week.  What could be worrying for the Ravens however is that this is their first game at the ‘G this season and will need the hit out should as expected make the big one on that one day in September.  The Ravens to bounce back and record a reasonable victory over the Western Bulldogs.

Saturday night sees the surprising Essendon host the surprising Hawthorn at the rink.  With both teams coming off victories last round confidence should be high in both camps.  The continuing career announcement by James Hird should give the young ‘Dons enough encouragement to get over the line.

Anything could happen in the clash of the round when St. Kilda travel west to clash with the amazing Fremantle.  The last time these two teams met it was the siren fiasco.  The two times before the result was decided by the last kick of the game and in their last 12 contests no team has won by more than 12 points.  If for no other reason than Fremantle will lose a game soon or later and that the Saints are playing for a top 4 finish it is the Saints for me.

In a game where the result stands out like dogs balls the West Coast should hand out a belting to the Brisbane team.  The team with the best current form and a Mercedes like mid field will show no mercy to a team in a rebuilding phase.  Even the return of Voss to the Lions will make them a match for the Weagles.

Carlton meets Richmond at the rink on Sunday and again on last weeks form the result should be inevitable.  Digger would like to see a high scoring game and hopes that Fevola can kick a bag and give him a chance to notch a ton of goals for the season.  Richmond should win quite convincingly.

You would think that a team placed 5^th and approaching the finals would easily overcome a team placed 13^th who have struggled for most of the season.  However on recent form it is a toss of the coin result.  Digger would love to see the ins and outs before making a selection but no such luck.  The Demons could welcome back 5 gun players and if they all play the Dees are in.  The Kangaroos on the other hand will want to secure contracts for next year and could spring a surprise.  However, the Melbourne team to prevail.