Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne appear destined to finish in the bottom three rungs of the ladder at the end of the 2007 season. Richmond will get a priority pick in the draft and so will the Carlton and Melbourne if they fail to win another game. In round 22, the final round of the season, Carlton play Melbourne and it would be in the best interests of the clubs to let the other win. Some scribes, but not this one, are spruiking that these 3 clubs will "tank" and not try to win.
To Digger, this really denigrates the efforts of the players and also the Australian way of trying to win at all costs. To "tank" a game would need the majority of players involved in not trying and this just would not happen. Additionally, I would imagine that most players would have a performance clause in their contracts that would include,
Where they finish in the club's Best and Fairest award.
Where they finish in the Brownlow.
Number of possessions per game etc.,
Additionally, a player who believes he is high on the list of probable's for individual awards would strive to play as well as possible.
"Tanking" no way. Clubs sending some of the best for early surgery to be at their best for 2008 maybe, but "tanking" no way.
As the Crazy Fool was not publishing last week Digger also had a rest. To those who missed me, thanks for your support and do not blame me.
For a team that should be in the top 4 based on past performances and their player list, St. Kilda are starting to show some bottle. Their win over the Adelaide Ravens at the Dome last Friday night was a gutsy effort and kept the season alive for the Saints. The Saints big guns up forward in Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt presented all night and kicked truly. Scott Welsh was lively for the Ravens but in a thriller the Saints prevailed by 2 points.
Tip of the week - Jason Gram to play for West Coast next year.
The game of the round was played on Saturday in front of a crowd of 85,497 fans at the ‘G and a ripper it was. Geelong won but probably had their due "loss" as the gloss was not there. Matty Scarlett was superb for the Cats as were Corey Enright and Joel Corey. Travis Cloke continues to grow in the key forward position for the ‘Pies and kicked some great goals. In a gritty but not pretty game the Geelong team won the game and have now won 10 in a row for the first time since 1963.
Essendon are running out of players and this has lead to speculation that this will be Essendon's long serving coach Kevin Sheedy will be replaced next season. After a very even first quarter, Essendon wasted any chance with inaccurate kicking in the second term. The final quarter of the game was terrific goal scoring spree with the Doggies slotting through 8 goals and the Bombers 5. Brad Johnson again led the goal scoring with 5 majors with Scott Lucas best for the Essendon team with 4.
In many games one quarter wins the game and again that was the case when Brisbane came out in barnstorming fashion with a opening quarter 6 goal blitz. Jonathan Brown was left to ran amok in this term and eventually finished the game with 6 goals. So called weak links Robert Copeland and Jarryd Brennan were in the Lions best for 2 weeks in a row. Aaron Davey was the best for the disappointing Demons.
Carlton started great guns in their clash with the Sydney team in their match at the SCG. In fact, at quarter time they lead by 2 goals. From then on it was all red and white. Peter "Spyda" Everitt played his best game for the Swans, rucking well and also kicking 4 goals. Barry Hall also kicked 4 but is feeling the effects of a groin injury. Heath Scotland was best for the Blues but it was all Sydney in a 10 goal win.
Again Richmond were competitive for half a game but for a team that lacks the ability to perform their skills when under pressure they use the ball too much and end up turning it over. Hawthorn took full advantage of this in the second half and ran away 53 point winners. Did not see the game.
The Mentals are at it again and this time it has resulted in coach Chris Connelly resigning mid week. Needing a win to keep alive their finals hopes and playing at their won dung hill the Mentals should have won. Buy no, the gritty Kangaroos played hard all day and had a well deserved 4 point win. 4 players for each team kicked 2 goals and no forward was dominant. The Kangaroo veterans continue to shine and finals football is beckoning. The purple haze continues to gather in Fremantle.
An undermanned West Coast team were shellacked by the Port Power and questions are being raised over their ability to contest the remainder of 2007 to their normal high standards. But let's not take anything away from Port Adelaide who turned it on in style. Port shared their goals around with youngster Justin Westhoff continuing to grow into one of the teams leading forwards. Both Cornes brothers shone and racked up a great number of possessions. The Pharmacist looks likely to rush Ben Cousins back into his line up this week.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
This week it is not an actual letter but a question from Sidney Swan over an ale or two at the rubbidy dub dub. Sid wants to know the greatest number of games won in succession over more than one season.
Well Sid, I can tell you that Geelong who are on their best winning streak since 1963 still have a long way to go before breaking their own record. Yes, Geelong hold the record and won 23 games in succession starting in Round 12 1952 and won every game from there until losing in Round 14 1953.
Essendon hold the modern record winning 20 games on the trot in 2000.
The defunct University team lost 51 games in a row between 1912 and 1914 while the modern record is held by your namesakes Sydney who lost 26 games in succession between 1992 and 1993.
The battle of the Geelong/Melbourne highway takes place on Friday night when Geelong and the Western Bulldogs meet in what is becoming one of the leagues great rivalries. The Bulldogs inflicted one of the Cats 2007 defeats in Round one and the Cat's will be keen for revenge. The question who will get key forward Brad Johnson with all the talk being either Scarlett or Darren Milburn. Digger reckons they are off the pace and that skipper Tom Harley will get the job.  At the other end Brian Harris is likely to play on Cameron Mooney with the mid field matchups a case of who knows. Geelong in a close one.
Collingwood should bounce back in their match against Essendon and put another nail in Sheedy's coaching coffin. Can Dustin Fletcher curb Travis Cloke? If so, maybe the Dons have a chance but Collingwood's runners should provide enough to their forwards to beat a depleted Bomber side. Collingwood by 4 goals.
Another bounce back win this week goes to Adelaide as they welcome the Mentals to AAMI stadium. Digger would normally go for a "first up" coach but with things going from bad to worse down by the docks, Jeff Farmer in trouble with the law again, the Ravens will prevail by 5 goals.
St. Kilda tackle Hawthorn in what should be a free running high scoring clash. The Hawk forward line has many options including Lance "Buddy" Franklin and Jarryd "Give me" Roughead and they should give the Hawks the firepower to win. Expect both teams to kick in excess of 20 goals under the roof at the Dome.
Carlton flattered the Swans last week and West Coast are in the doldrums. This modern day fierce rivalry has delivered great games in recent times and beware the wounded Weagle. The Weagles have the home ground advantage and the sting in their tale and need a wing. Again, beware the wounded Weagle! West Coast in another close one.
Brisbane will defeat Carlton in Brisbane and the Blues can start looking to the draft. Big Brown to kick 10 goals and the Lions to kick te sweep of the round.
Seems like he has been around for a 100 years but this week Tiger stalwart Matt Richardson plays his 250th for his beloved Tigers. Believe Digger or not but this will be enough motivation for his team mates to dig deep and post a win against Port Adelaide. The Richmond F.C. by 2 goals.
And in the final game of the round, the Kangaroos to continue on their merry way and post a win against Melbourne. Only one point separated then when they met earlier in the year but now the ‘Roos are playing as a team determined to write some history and may well be the surprise packet of the season. Expect the former North Melbourne team to win this match and win it easily.
Digger
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