May, 10th 2007 04:10 AM
Terry Wallace is on the ball. While his team remains winless, he is TOTALLY correct in saying the AFL has got it wrong when it comes to fines and the politburos definition of "bringing the game into disrepute". Tiger skipper, Kane Johnson, faces 2 fines of $5,000 AUD for bringing the game into disrepute, one for questioning the umpire at half time of the game last week and then at the after match press conference.
We all know that the umpires are sacrosanct and even the most baffling of decisions are not allowed to be questioned, even when proved wrong, but deny drug addiction, be caught on numerous occasions doing the wrong thing and that is not defined as bring the game into disrepute. Am I missing something?
You can now be kicked out of the ‘Gabba if you call the umpire a "white maggot", "green fool" or any other such slur. Political correctness gone insane.
Some of the best moments at a footy game are the witty remarks from spectators and as long as bad language is at a minimum (read nil) comments should be allowed. Sticks and stones ................
Digger will not comment on Jeff Farmer so as not to upset our Western Australian friends.
Sorry to all my dear readers for no column last week but due to the holiday for the anniversary of the death of King Hung, Digger was unable to get into his office. By the way I did tip all 8 winners last week!
The round kicked off last Wednesday with the annual ANZAC day clash at the "G between Essendon and Collingwood. It what was a close game for 3 quarters the magpies ran away with it in the final stanza and may prove to be better than expected. A crowd of 90,508 fans witnessed a good contest with "Pie Heath Shaw taking the honors for best on ground.
The St. Kilda team had the journey to AAMI stadium in Adelaide on Friday night to take on the improving Port Power. Torrential rain fell throughout the game and the Power swam their way to victory in the odd numbered quarters and while swimming with the tide kicked 10.8.68 to the Saints 1.4.10 in these terms. Chad Cornes was the games dominant player and spearhead Warren Tredrea seems to be running into form after a horrid injury run.
The West Coast team continued their unbeaten run this season accounting for Richmond at the MCG. The Tigers led at quarter time after a scintillating 4 goal opening term by Richard Tambling. However the Weagles put up a giant wall across the their half back line while Quentin Lynch led their the attack. Graham Polak returned some Tiger faith with a strong performance but who can stop the West Coast juggernaut?
It was a shoot out at the Dome on Saturday night when Carlton hosted Brisbane. An amazing 27 goals were kicked in the first half alone and a total of 39 for the game. There was 19 individual goal scorers with the most any one player getting was 3. Brown and Black best for the Lions with Scotland and Houlihan shining for the Carlton team. And by the way, Brisbane got up by 2 goals.
Sydney showed no mercy to the injury riddled Melbourne team and gave them a spanking. A 49 point win for the Swans with Big Bad Bazza giving the demon defenders headaches.
At this stage Digger and the lads retired for a couple of hours kip before watching the mighty, rampaging, unprecedented Australian cricket team win their third straight cricket World Cup. Between them, a West Indian, Pakistani, South African and 2 Kiwis contrived to end the match in scenes straight out of a Monty Python movie while credit must go to Ricky Ponting and his Sri Lankan counterpart on restoring some semblance of sanity to the affair. God help us if the ICC and the AFL ever get together. Well, the guy running the ICC is named Speed.
Back to all things Aussie rules and Sundays games.
Down in Launceston way the Western Bulldogs held off quite a determined Hawthorn team in a very entertaining match. Lance "Buddy" Franklin was dynamite for the Hawks with 6 goals And tell Digger how he left out Jarryd Roughhead out of his week 9 team.
A piss poor Geelong let down their members and fans with an insipid performance at their 2007 debut at their home ground Unskilled Stadium. SACK THE COACH NOW!!!! Swallow was again in the ‘Roos best but veteran Brent Harvey stole the show with over 40 possessions.
Farmer - replaced in selected side (arrested).
A Farmerless Fremantle pipped the Ravens by a point at Subiaco in Perth. Troy Cook kicked 3 for the Mentals and was the only multiple goal scorer for the game (his team). It was one of those rare games where the losing team kicked more goals than the winning team. Ugly football it was.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Dear Digger,
I have tried to read your column on a few occasions after which I have come to the conclusion that it should be renamed THE VICTORIAN CLUBS AFL ROUNDUP" or "THE GEELONG ROUNDUP" The only time any effort is put into other clubs is to bag them , as a correspondent should you not have an unbiased view to the game ?
Regards
Wondering
Dear Wondering,
Thanks for your letter. Please refer to my Grand Final preview of season 2006. The only Victorian mentioned was Scott West while all teams mentioned were non-Victorian teams. I also believe that this pre season there were far more mentions of non-Victorian teams and the Weagles in particular than Victorian teams. In reference to Geelong, Digger is just trying to get the coach sacked and look out if they start winning some games.
Impartiality is the aim of Digger. Read it every week and I am sure all will balance out.
Who do you support? Let me know and I will do a profile for you on them. Any chance it is Adelaide?
Thanks very much for your correspondence.
Regards,
Digger
Friday May the 4th sees round 6 of AFL season 2007 and should provide us with some interesting viewing. St. Kilda plays Carlton at the Rink and both teams will be looking to bounce back from last weeks defeats. The key will be the Saints defenses ability to hold Fevola in check if, and that is a big if, their forwards can kick a winning score. Toss of the coin this one but Digger reckons the Saints in a tight one.
Can we get back to the ‘80's and see a bit of old fashioned biff in the match between Essendon and Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday. Essendon have a definite advantage with the three days extra break while Hawthorn maybe leg weary after a match on the wide open spaces of Aurora Stadium. The Hawks need to review their forward set up as it was a 100% disaster against the pups. Essendon to bounce back.
Will Benny turn up to watch the West Coast take on the Western Bulldogs in Western Australia? Will Scott West continue his good form id a westerly is blowing at Subiaco. Beau Waters and David Wirrpanda have been good at both ends of the ground for the Weagles and Darren Glass is the best defender in the competition. Expect the Weagles to continue their winning streak and shorten further for the flag.
The Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) is the largest member of the genus Corvus in Australia. It is a more slender bird than the Common Raven of the Northern Hemisphere but is otherwise similar.
At 48 to 56 cm in length, it is only marginally larger than the 48 to 50 cm Little Raven, and is best distinguished from it by a higher-pitched call and more deeply fingered wingtips.
The Magpies are medium to large, often colorful and noisy passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae. The Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen, is conspicuously piebald, with black and white plumage reminiscent of an European Magpie, but it is not a corvid.
And so the battle of the birds, whether related or not, fly onto AAMI Stadium Saturday to clash again. Has Digger had it wrong for years with the magpie a member of the crow family but rest assured they will not be treated as family by Raven supporters. The wild card could actually be Brett "Birdman" Burton who is under a injury cloud but if he does play his aerial skills will help his team. Nathan Bassett should match up on Alan Didak and if does not have a dog of a day the Collingwood team may struggle to kick a winning score. The Adelaide team for me.
The improving Kangaroos host the Sydney at the rink on Saturday night. This is the first time that these two sides have met in Melbourne since 1998 and boy their fortunes have changed since then. The ‘Roos will need to such down Barry Hall and the Mexican, Michael Firrito will probably get the job. The Swans new recruit Spida Everitt holds the key and if he can give his smalls first use of the ball the Sydneysiders should be able to kick a winning score. Look out for Adam Goodes to have a huge game having been ruled out of the running for his third Brownlow in 2007. If Brent Harvey can continue finding the ball like last week the ‘Roos have some show but the Swans look to talented overall.
Fremantle travel on a north east flight pattern to enter the Lions den that is the ‘Gabba on Sunday. Can Brisbane continue their form of last week where they kicked 18.1 before again misdirecting and kicking 3.7 in the final quarter. Chris Tarrant has so far proved a good pick up for the Dockers and will need to step up further as his team will be without current bad boy and goal sneak Jeff Farmer. Bean pole ruckmen Aaron Sandilands should be able to direct traffic to his mid field runners but maybe double teamed by Charman and Beau McDonald which may result in him running out of steam. For Digger, Brisbane has more fire power particularly playing at home and expects them to get over the line.
Do not expect Melbourne to win for the first time this year when they host the Port Power this Sunday. The Demons who are wracked with injury may have skipper David Neitz back for the game. I expect the Cornes, Ebert and Burgoyne to lead the Power to another victory. With Brendan Lade being the competitions leading ruckman the Demons will not have first use of the ball and this will hamper the scoring chances. Power to kick the sweep.
Although Richmond won the last clash Geelong have a habit of giving the Tigers a hiding when they need a win. Geelong to win.
Kick it looooooooooong,
Digger
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