22 June 1912, Hobart Mercury

NOTES BY "HALF-BACK."

For the first time in the history of' football in this State, teams representing North and South will, on the same day, battle for supremacy in two distinct codes of football, for which the big game on the top ground is taking place to-day, the leading exponents of the "dribbling" code will be measuring blades at Launceston for the round-ball championship of the State. This match should have a most beneficial effect on the progress of the game in the North, not even only from the players point of view, but by the fact that it will afford many residents of the Northern capital a good opportunity of witnessing a really good exhibition of "soccer." The Northerners are at present somewhat of an unknown quantity, consequently it would be invidious to conjecture as to the result of the match, but if successful in lowering the colours of their opponents, they will accomplish a highly creditable performance. The Southern team, although a good one, can hardly be called representative, not one of the original half-backs chosen being able to make the trip. Almond and Hogben, St. George's clever half-backs, both of whom were certainties for selection, are, unfortunately, at the present time on the sick list.


A compliment to the South Hobart defence has been paid by the selection of both Cracknell and Fletcher for the full-back positions. Since the advent of Fletcher into South's team, Cracknell's play has improved wonderfully, and the good understanding which these backs possess with regard to each other's play, gave them strong claims for selection.


The forward line, with the exception of Hudson, is on the heavy side. Jones and Benson, on the right wing, should prove a most efficient combination.


The selection of "Bobby" Reid [St George] as the last line of defence was practically a sure thing, as a glance at the goal averages of the premiership table will show.

I was much impressed with the dashing display given by Higgins (Y.M.C.A.) against South Hobart last Saturday. This player is not available for to-day's match at Launceston, but it is to be hoped that he will be for the New South Wales trip.


No competition matches will take place this afternoon, on account of the North v. South fixture.


The following is culled from the Sydney "Referee" with reference to the Tasmanian visit: - "The New South Wales Football Association having practically bound itself to give the Novocastrians a game with the Tasmanians, found themselves somewhat in a dilemma when word was received from Hobart to the effect that the Tassies would play but one Saturday in this State. Naturally they will want to play in Sydney, and as the association has no desire to disappoint the Newcastle, branch, a complex situation arose. However, as the Islanders may yet come via Melbourne, it is quite possible two Saturday's may be arranged for in this State, and an inquiry has been forwarded Hobart way to that effect. The result is awaited with interest."


This difficulty has now been overcome, as the T.B.F.A. has decided to play two Saturdays in New South Wales, and, if possible, to travel via Melbourne. Word is expected to be received at any moment from the Victorian Association with reference to the proposed match to be played at Melbourne en route.


The Queenslanders, are due to play their first match in New South Wales to-day against the South Coast Association at Wollongong. The first inter-State match will be played in Sydney on Monday, and all Soccerdom is agog with curiosity regarding the visitors. The last exchange of courtesies happened in Queensland in 1888, when, in the "blue ribbon" matches, honours were even. The match on Prince of Wales's Birthday, therefore, takes on some of the semblance of a "decider."


In an open letter in the Brisbane "Herald" to the selectors of the Queensland team, now playing in New South Wales, "Man in the Street" has the following with reference to the selection of the State's half-backs: - "In picking your halves, I do not think you considered what kind of a team you were likely to play against, neither do I think you can, in this respect, plead ignorance, for most of you, if not all, saw the Powerful play in Brisbane last year, and you could have taken that match for an example of what you have got to expect. Your halves should have been the speediest you could find, even if you had to sacrifice some of the skill, for what use is skill if the player cannot get near the ball? For example, what chance will our left half have against a player like Grogan who, I am told, is five yards faster in every hundred than he was last year, and everyone will know what that means for our left half, who was the slowest man on the field on Saturday?" Tasmanian selectors - Verb. sap.


It is to be hoped that the Tasmanian team will be picked as soon as possible after to-day's North v. South match, so as to enable those selected to get a good opportunity of training and playing together.


In the final match of the season for the handsome London charity shield, Blackburn Rovers (champions of the First League) beat Queen's park Rangers (champions of the, Southern League) by 3 goals to 2. A feature of the game was the brilliant play of "Jock" Simpson at outside right for the Rovers. The Falkirk Club was reimbursed to the extent of £1,800 for transferring Simpson's services to Blackburn earlier in the season, which is a record price for a transfer fee.