"I'm an individual, you can't fool me".  Perhaps one of the greatest individuals and I do not mean for his football ability, Mark "Whacko" Jackson sang this song as part of his entertainer guise.  Jacko was an individual on the field having played with the Richmond, Geelong and Melbourne Football Clubs.  A good player, Jacko was more renowned for his hand stands, taunting of opposition players and supporters and his energizer battery commercials than his ability to kick goals.

One of the great aspects of Aussie Rules that seems to be dying from the game is the specky and the jezza, the high flying marks.  Sure we see a couple every week but players like Michael "Disco" Roach, Warwick Capper, Trevor Barker, Peter Knights, Peter Busustow and Gary Ablett used to take 3 a week and fly for more.  A lack of contested marking situations is surely one of the reasons that speckies are few and far between but the main reason in my humble opinion is that coaches instill the team plan into the players psyche and to fly and miss will surely warrant censure.

Love him or hate him, Jason Akermanis maybe the last of the individuals ever to play the game.  Let us hope that Adelaide do not try to curb the high flying of Bret "Birdman" Burton as he is the only one now that continues to fly high for the ball.  Russell Robertson's knees have taken care of him.  Jezza, you bewdy!

We kicked off last weeks round of games with Collingwood traveling to Adelaide to take on the Port Power and a crackerjack game was expected.  These two teams let no-one down and the result came right down to the wire.  Nathan Buckley was celebrating a club record 154^th match as captain and he was able to celebrate when Alan Didak goaled with 17 seconds remaining to snatch the ‘Pies a victory.  The Powers most under valued player Brett Ebert kicked 4 goals for his team.

Apart from another reckless piece of play from the human brain explosion Cameron Mooney, Geelong would have been satisfied with their win over reigning premier Sydney last Saturday.  Mooney now holds the record for the first player to be suspended 4 times in one season.  Brad Ottens provided the Cats with a focal point up forward and bagged 3 goals with the other goals being shared around.  Michael O'Loughlin has a quiet game for the Swans but managed 3 goals in the second half.  Sydney were disappointing.

The Western Bulldogs pulled off the shock of the round and have all but secured themselves a finals berth with a hard fought win over the Ravens.  Adam Cooney was sensational for the pups with 5 goals and once again support came in the form of Brad Johnson.  The Ravens have really been struggling recently and I for one am glad I did not take the 6/4 on offer for them to win the flag.  Soul searching times at AAMI Stadium.  Not enough goal kickers at the moment for the Ravens.

Just when you thought that Essendon were back on track and a chance to pull away from Carlton in the in the wooden spoon race, Hawthorn comes out ready to play.  The hawks kicked a staggering 8 goals in both the 1^st and 2^nd quarters and from there on it was all over bar the shouting.  After halftime it was 9 goals to 3 goals in favour of the Bombers but the Hawks early domination saw then home by 3 goals.

Oh, the nips are getting bigger.  An old Mental as Anything song and nothing to do with Fremantle captain, Korean born Peter Bell.  Fremantle are showing that they are a team to be taken seriously with a huge win over St. Kilda and now find themselves fourth on the ladder.  Again, Jeff Farmer and Matthew Pavlich were the key components up forward but they are getting quality ball from the mid fielders.  St. Kilda coach Grant Thomas has some worrying times ahead and probably cannot wait much longer for a fit Aaron Hamill to get back to footy.

A 10+ goal win to the Weagles over Brisbane last Sunday saw the Weagles retuen atop the AFL ladder.  The West Coast were never seriously under any pressure from the rebuilding Lions and even with Judd and Kerr having quiet days the Weagles did as they pleased.  Full forward Quentin Lynch had a day out and kicked a career high 8 majors.  He ably supported by Andrew Embley  with three but once again it was the delivery into the forward line that set these players up.  No shining lights for Brisbane however.

Richmond delivered the final rites to Carlton last Sunday with an emphatic 45 point victory.  The Tiger's had 6 multiple goal kickers with Greg Stafford leading the race with 4.  Augers well for Richmond's future with Rising Star favourite Andrew Raines again in fine touch.  Fevola was once again the Blues leading scorer with 3.

Digger just cannot seem to get a win out of the Kangaroos.  The ‘Roos looked like having a win when they led by 20 points at half time but seemed to have left their minds in the change room after the break.  Melbourne, led by skipper David Neitz who booted 8 goals, totally carved up the opposition in the second half and ran out easy 50 point winners.  A 12 goal turn around!  Not much to be said for the Kangaroos and Dean Laidley must be a worried man.

GRATUITOUS PROMOTION OF THE WEEK (2)

Dear Digger,

Last week you told us that Roger Merrett was the guest speaker for this years AFL Grand Final Brunch to be held at the Legend Hotel on the 30^th of September.  Two questions, is Roger the father of current Brisbane player Daniel and can you tell us something about Roger?

Keep on Kicking,

Kev from Coburg

Dear Kev,

Yes, you are correct.  The Foster's AFL Grand Final Brunch is where and when you mentioned.  No, Roger is not Daniels father.  Roger played 149 games for Essendon and kicked 146 goals in those games.  Roger was a member of Essendon's 1984 and 1985 Premiership team.  He then transferred to the fledgling Brisbane Bears as their first captain and played 164 games for the Bears kicking 287 goals.  Come and meet Roger on the 30^th of September.

Editors note: For those interested in sponsoring this must go to event, you can contact Darren Cotter on 0913803517 for details.  You can also book your tickets through Darren

Why isn't this a Rivalry Round Commandant Andrew?  It was 15 weeks ago when this round of matches last occurred!

Anyway, 7^th plays 8^th and give 9^th some show of finals action depending on 9^th beating 3^rd in the first two games in non rivalry round.  In game one of the round we see the Western Bulldogs taking on St. Kilda in what should be a good clash.  In the 139 games these tow sides have clashed in in the histories, The Bulldogs have 68, the Saints 69 and two have been drawn and in their last clash the Saints won by 14 points.  What does it all mean, nothing.  The Dogs had a stirring victory last week and the Saints were dreadful.  Digger is going for momentum of sticking with the Western Bulldogs.

Geelong need to win and win well if their faint finals hopes are t be maintained.  Unless there is a draw in the previously previewed match a Geelong win will see them only one game behind the loser with a match against Hawthorn to come.  Having said that the Saints and Dogs should both win their round 22 clash so Digger is going for Melbourne to defeat Geelong or is he?  Get that 5000 VND coin out, heads Geelong, tails Melbourne.  Hang on, Neitz maybe out.  Maybe Ling for Geelong, that settles it, Geelong.

Hawthorn V Kangaroos is a game where Digger has no interest being of no bearing on the finals.  Same number of games won, 2 percentage points difference and full of players already under the surgeons knife.  Trigger says to Digger go with the odds and currently at TABSportsbet the Hawks are $1.60 favourites.  Ok Trigger, Hawthorn.

Another game with no bearings on the finals is the Richmond/Essendon clash at the ‘G on Saturday night.  Last time they played it was for the Dream Time Cup and this time the game is being promoted as "Hot August Night".  Too bad White Diamond so not still make footy boots.  Because Richmond has a Jackson and and Brown on their list I am going with the Tigers.  This should be an open and exciting game and I am tipping both sides to kick 20 goals.  Wouldn't that be Crunchy Fevola Sweet.

Sydney and Brisbane at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney also is played on Saturday night.  Both beaten last week but you would have to suggest that the Swans are the much better team and will bounce back.  Heath "Reg" Grundy has been a revelation for the Swans and he will be given more chances to kicj goals though the Jolly, Goodes ruck combination.  The Swans to kick the sweep this weekend with a resounding 12 goal victory.

Adelaide play Port Adelaide in Adelaide in the Adelaide rivalry game.  I suggest a team from Adelaide will win but which one.  Port, valiant in defeat last week, would really like to upset their big brother this week but with finals approaching Digger suggests that Craig Neil with have the Ravens on song.  For Port, Surjan has gone to see the surgeon for a shoulder op and the Ravens will miss Bassett who has been hounded by injury.  Skipworth is being forced to skip another game to be right for the finals and Jericho is still out and feels like the walls are surrounding him.  All in all, this game will provide the Ravens with a tune up for September action.  Ravens to win.

Gee I would like Carlton to beat Collingwood this week but it will not be happening.  The truant Tarrant may return to the ‘Pies line up but the main injury worry is that Simon Prestigiacomo will be fit enough to take his place to try and curb Fevola.  The Magpies have too much at stake in this one and should be able to record a solid win against the Blues.

Weagles, mentals, mentals, Weagles, the Battle of Subiaco looks like being one rip snorting, ball busting, dam bursting, throw to the wolves encounter.  Interestingly it sounded like Chris Judd of the Weagles was scared of meeting the mentals in the finals.  The head to head count between these two teams is 17-6 in favour of the Weagles but the rivalry between these two is probably the greatest in the AFL.  This week for me will see the big brothers of W.A. football, the West Coast, cement top spot with a game win.  All other finals aspirants are just hoping they will bash the shit out of each other.