FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8305, 8 June 1907, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

Per Press Association,

AUCKLAND, June 7

In regard to the football team for Australia, Eckhold and Pat-on are the only two with whom Aucklanders are not familiar. The most notable Auckland absentees are Geo. Smith and Nicholson. The Auckland three-quar-ters had been playing right at the top of his form this season and his noninclusion comes as a big surprise_ to followers of the game in this city. Probably the reason for the dropping of Smith and Nicholson was that their work did not come under the eye of the selectors in _ the inter-Island match. No exception can be taken to any of the three-quarters included, and a matter for congratulation is that three of the four, Fryer, Machinson, and Dive, are young players. Coleman, who is picked as reserve half-back, played on the wing against Auckland last year, but is regarded as equally good as half-back, and. can play in the three-quarter line if necessary. He will be available as wing should Gillett become incapacitated. The forwards are considered as good & lot as ever left the colony. They are heavy, fast, and clever all through —a fine set of scrummagers, quick to break up, and always on the ball. Local opinion is that it will be a good pack that outplays them. PROFESSIONALISM CRITICISED. (By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Per Press Association. SYDNEY, June 7. Professionalism in football was severely criticised at the reception given to the Queensland team in the Town Hall. Mr Calvert, President of the New South Wales Rugby Urion, saw some danger in the taint of all taints as regards football. The professional game was looking up and he hoped New South Wales an;l Queensland would resolutely set their faces against- it. The moment professionalism entered anything, behind it came that abominable thing the gambling spirit, and that was a spirit they wanted to keep out oi a good manly game like football. Attorney General Wade, referring ■tj the damage professionalism caused in England declared that the higher aspects of the game were entirely lost, and it came to bo a matter of having in one pocket a large amount of money and in the other a larger an cunt of blue metal. Mr Oaks, member of the Assembly, said he was glad to see the first attempt to introduce professionalism in New Zealand shut down. Mr R. Teece said it was gratifying that the first attempt in New Zealand met with such a formidable rebuff. Mr Lea, manager of the Queensland team, did not think there was the slightest chance of professionalism getting a hold in Queensland, but there v as al .vays a danger of it crteping in. They were determine ! to watch and keep the game clean.

A dog was placed in the dock at a London Police Court recently with four youths who were charged with housebreaking, and seemed quite conscious of the gravity of the situation. It was by the presence of the dog that the prisoners had been identified.