THE VICTORIAN GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 62

THE VICTORIAN GAME.

VICTORY FOR NEW ZEALAND. MELBO-T7BNE, August 18. The Interstate Conference, consisting of representatives of the football organisations, discussed* the Question of establishing a universal Australian game. In > reply to a question, one delegate declared that there was no prospect whatever of Rugby giving way regarding off-side. Another replied : "That settles it." Mr M'Keon {New Zealand) thought a game could be evolved which would be the Australian game perfectedT* The Northern Union game, a» played by the AH" Blacks, had come to stay 5n New Zealand. No decision wa» reached. August 19. The inter-State carnival to celebrate tfa« juKlee of the Australian game was com-^ meneed to-day in the presence of 6000 Spectators, Teams representing the States o£ the Commonwealth and the Dominion, are taking part. In the match New Zealand v. New South, Wales, the Maorilanders commenced with the wind in their favour.! New- Zealand - opened with two behinds, -and then New - South Wales put on three Dehinds and a goal. The New South Welshmen: were noticeably quicker on the ball', and kicked with greater force and accuracy. -Before t>Ke first quarter ended Wiikins (New Zealand) kicked 2 goals, the second one cominss. through a clever mark and a good' kick. At. ihe first change of ends New , Zealand hiad a lead of 5 points. Nearly all through the second quarter New Zealand werp in trouble, and New South Wales finished the auarter with 6 goals and 6 behinds to New Zealand's 2 goals and 4behinds. The last two quarters, however, put a ■different, complexion on affaire. New Z-<i&-land had much thf b^st of it, and added 7 avals and 5 behinds to 2 goals and 8 behinds. The Maorilanders kicked a goal just on time, and secured a viotorv br a point, the totals beine 9 goals and 9 behinds to 8 goals and 14 bshinds. The victors' improvement was astounding, and their nlueky uphill game found great favour with the onlookers. August 20. At the football carnival Tasmania defeated Queensland by 22 nroala and 22 behinde,to 2 goals and 2 behinds. Aucnist 21. Victoria beat New Zealand by 171 points to- 40. August 22. Victoria, which is the home ofthe Australian «?arae, yesterday beat New Zealand by 171 noints to HV>avy rain nrevious +o the match interfered with the attendance. Tb.~ ground was wet and slinnerv. Th<» Victorians showed a much bet+w knowledge of the game tban the New -Zealanckrs. From the outeet th" visitors were outelacced. At the n nd of the first auarter tlie scores were: "Victoria 10 goals 8 behinds to 2 behinds. T^ach separate quarter left' the visitors further m th" rear. As in the pevions match, <he New Zoa^v<flers played a better game in the second than in the fir*t half, "but the was a foregone conclusion after the fii-st few minutes' play. August 24. In the Australasian football cavniva.l Tasmania o»at New South Wales by 8 g-o-ils 14 behinds to 4 goals 11 behinds. W^st .Australia beat South Australia by 8 goals 11 behinds to R »wvsl«! 5 behind. SYDNEY. August ?4. Telegraphic communication with Melbourne is blocked, and no further football news has come to hand.