THE VICTORIAN GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 1904, 18 May 1888, Page 26

THE VICTORIAN GAME.

"Three-quarter Back," who witnessed the Victorian game played on Lancaster Park, Buin3 up its points pithily id the following article : — "I cannot say that I 'Was impressed with the beauties of the Victorian or Australian game (not Australasian, for it is not played by any club in New Zealand, and it is impertinence to give it the bigger title). Making all allowance for the fact that most of the players were' new to it, the game proved far from interesting. Its points were easily to be picked up, but there was little to be found in them. The encouragement given to long and accurate kicking is to my mind about the only merit in the game ; and that is a merit which the Rugby game, rightly played, possesses. An old footballer here described the game to me on Monday as follows : — ' The Melbournites obtained the rules of all the games of football ever played, picked out the most points in each, and putting them together called that the Victorian game.' Well, without endorsing altogether such a sweeping assertion, a friend of mine who has seen the game played frequently characterises it as a childish form of sport, and cannot understand what there is in it to attract men. I must confess to agreeing with him. It seems to me that almost everything lawful in Rugby or Association is made unlawful- in the Victorian game, and vice va'stf. • For example there is offside in Rugby, none 'in the Victorian. Passing is one of the prettiest parts of the Rugby game, and knocking on is unlawful.-' In the Victorian you must not pas's, but only punch' the ball any way. Running, one of the most exciting elements in the Rugby game, is spoiled by the law in the Victorian that the ball must be bounced every 7yds ; although, let me point out, on Monday this law was frequently broken, and that, strange to say, most of all by the Victorians engaged, M'Shane and Lawlor frequently running 10 or 12 yards without bouncing the ball. In the Rugby game punting a goal is indulged in only by forwards who lose their heads; in the Victorian it is one way to score. Then, again, in Association, players must not handle, but may head or breast the ball. Just the opposite in the Victorian. In Rugby a throw from touch often leads to fine line-out play. In the Victorian the field umpire bumps the ball in, or in crazy fashion throws it over his head. As to danger I can conceive nothing more dangerous than the reckless charging avowed at men making marks. At the best the game is a hybrid, and unless a few Victorians get together will never be naturalised here or at Home. J suppose Melbourne will stick to it, as she does to most things invented ov patronised by herself, But here we are not likely to give up our own game with its dribbling, running, and passing for the sake of a game which rejoices in a ' goalaneak."' •