Round Nine: Fire the Klaxon!

To an unwitting observer, AFL and Canberra may seem like two very foreign concepts. Canberra doesn't boast a side in the AFL, whereas the Brumbies of rugby union and the Raiders of rugby league both fly the flag of our national capital on a weekly basis. But don't be fooled! Footy passion in the wasted sheep station does exist, both among the homesick expats from Traditional Football States, those indigenous to the area and even, it would seem, among members of Her Majesty's Loyal Government.

Those following the AFL this season from any sort of distance would be well aware that the league is facing something of a PR problem with drugs (otherwise known as the West Coast Eagles). Some might also be aware that Australian voters go to the polls this year, in an election which looks more and more to be shaping up as a government-changer. So it came as not much of a surprise at all when the government seized upon the AFL drug policy as a potential means of winning over mums and dads both alert and alarmed that AFL clubs were apparently doubling as some sort of latter-day opium dens. Two high ranking government members made the trip down to Melbourne to demand that the AFL revise its much criticised "three strikes" drug policy. However AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou, no fan of the Government, refused to play ball, suggesting that the government talk to the other 80-odd sports registered in Australia who have no drug policy at all before returning for another chat on the matter. Expect this one to come up again the next time an Eagle hits the headlines.

To the joy of Canberran footyheads of all loyalties the AFL roadshow came travelling through over the weekend, giving yours truly the rare opportunity to actually see a match in the flesh. Historic Manuka Oval was bursting at the seams as 14,500 people (which might almost fill the Ponsford Stand at the MCG) came along for the first fixture since the Canberroos gave up and became the Carrarraroos- Western Bulldogs vs Sydney. A most enjoyable day out it was in the late autumn sun, except for hardcore Dogs fans (including the well-lubricated and very vocal group sitting behind me) as the Swans never looked troubled in posting an easy win. Like all Canberra games the crowd were wearing the colours of all 16 clubs, plus an array of attire from rugby union, league, soccer, ten pin bowling, farnakling and darts. It's an eclectic town, sports-wise.

The round kicked off with an ominous fixture- St Kilda live on the TV. Following the universal gnashing of teeth that had followed their last dismal televised appearance against St Kilda, the AFL and Channel Seven must have been dreading the Saints' encounter against Freo. But in stark contrast, this could not have been a more entertaining game. From players landing on their heads after spectacular marks to a completely anarchial approach from both teams, this one had it all. As is common to Freo games, a bloke in the crowd rings a bell everytime former skipper Peter Bell (get it?) gets a touch. He was ringing away as though it was VE Day, Bell was everywhere. If only there'd been a bloke sitting next to him firing off a klaxon horn everytime either team committed a "clanger", the combined din would have reached Madagascar. Both teams turned the ball over with merry abandon, coaches Connolly and Lyon must have aged ten years apiece in the coaches' box. In the end Freo committed slightly less errors and that, combined with yet another addition to St Kilda's comically long injury list (the last VFL player Robert Harvey in game 349), saw the Dockers across the line.

On Saturday Carlton hosted Adelaide. Let me give credit where credit is due. Adelaide's red away strip removed rather than contributed to a clash of jumpers and didn't feature a cartoon crow or indeed any object, animal, mineral, vegetable or phallus (I'm looking at you, Port Adelaide!!). That's what a clash jumper is supposed to be. Not surprisingly, Adelaide looked like a football team and played like one too, accounting for the Blues as per general expectation. Down in Tasmania, however, a big shock was on the cards as the Hawks easily accounted for ladder-leaders West Coast. In the evening games Collingwood were too good for Brisbane up at the Gabba, where they haven't won for quite some time. And my policy of keeping a blind eye and deaf ear to the goings-on of the Bombers proved a winner as they seized victory from the jaws of defeat against the still winless Tiges. General opinion is that Richmond were ripped off in this one, the much maligned in the back interpretation costing temperamental star forward Richo a late goal that would have put Richmond in the lead. Oh well, better luck next week. At least the Punt Roaders can take consolation in the fact that Melbourne is also still winless and able to blow the unblowable. The Demons were unable to defend a five point lead with a minute to go and lost their ninth straight by a point, their third defeat in four weeks by a goal or less.

The final game of Round Nine saw the high flying Cats soundly thump Port Adelaide away from home. Is this the season when Geelong will finally make the break-through? It's shaping up at this stage as a West Coast-Geelong GF, maybe it will be third time lucky for the Cats. But there's still plenty of time between now and the big day. Many, many things could happen. Could drugs in the AFL be the Tampa the government is looking for? Probably not actually. But you never, never know. In politics, as in football, it ain't over until the siren has sounded, the bell has tolled and the klaxon has ...klaxoned for the final clanger. See you back here for Round 10.