WHY IS DALLEY FIVE-EIGHTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17865, 5 June 1926, Page 9

WHY IS DALLEY FIVE-EIGHTH.

SELECTORS’ ACTION IS CRITICISED. Irp picking the South Island team it looks as if the selectors have compromised to a certain extent. Of course, where there is more .than one selector for any team, there is always bound to be a bit of compromise. Opinions of men as to the capabilities of players differ, and, no matter how fair-minded a selector may be, he will be always inclined to favour the man whose play he knows best. Therefore, it seems that under the system of having more than one selector there must of necessity be a certain amount of compromise. In the case of the South Island team it looks as if compromise has entered largely into the selection of the backs. Two players were nominated for the position of half-back, F. Kilby (Southland) and W. Dailey (Canterbury).

Kilby has been selected as the halfback and Dal ley has been put in as first five-eighth, although in big football he has always filled the half-back position. Kilby is a good half, much of the same stamp as Dailey, but he is a bit on the small side and it is very doubtful how he will stand up against the big North Island forwards. Dailey is a half-back of proved merit. In some club games this year he has perhaps not shown his best form, but on the whole, he has been playing great football. Whether Dailey is a better half than Jimmy Mill does not enter into the present argiunent. He is undoubtedly the best half in the South Island and it certainly seems that the selectors would have been wise in putting him in his usual position. Of course it may be argued that the selectors have had to put Dailey first five-eighths owing to lack of inside backs. It is true that M’Gregor and C. Oliver were the only two players who have been playing five-eighths regularly this season, nominated for the team. Oliver has been picked as centre three-quarter and S. R. Carleton, who lias been playing great football this year and has besides been playing centre three-quarter, while Oliver has not, has been passed over. It is difficult to see how Carleton has been omitted. In the game against Wellington last Thursday Carleton suffered considerably from the fact that Oliver was sending him bad passes. In that match Oliver played a fine spectacular game. By his strong running he made some great openings, but generally these openings did not lead to much, either because Oliver lost contact with his other backs or else because he sent out a bad pass to Carleton. For this reason Carleton did not show up so well as usual, but he should not be penalised for the mistakes made by Oliver. Oliver, of course, is a very fine, footballer, but he is developing too much of au individual style ot play, and

in any match, but especially against such a redoubtable side as the North Island is able to put into the field, combination is of a vital importance. N. P. M’Gregor has been picked as second five-eighths. It was of course a foregone conclusion that he would be in the team, but it was generally thought that he would be first fiveeighths with Dailey half-back. The second five-eighths position could have been filled by Carleton, who has had a lot of experience as an inside back. Carleton would of course have been playing out of his regular position, but the choice that the selectors made means that three men, Dailey, M’Gregor and Oliver are all out of their usual positions. As far as the other backs are concerned there is little to quarrel over the selection that has been made. D. Stevenson, of Otago, was the only fullback nominated, and, as he is a good mail, he should fill the position quite satisfactorily. W. Elvy and A. O. Robilliard, of Canterbury are the wing three-quarters, and it is difficult to see how the selectors could have gone past them. The selection of P. Ward as wing forward will occasion no surprise. He is a very fine forward in the loose. The passing over of A. M’Cormack and the selection of D. Stuart, of South Canterbury, as one of the hookers may cause some comment. M’Cormack, however, has hardly been playing up to his best form this season. The other forwards. C. Mills, R. Stewart, W. Ilazlett, G. T. Alley and C. Sonntag are all fine players, and little exception can be taken to the selection of any of them. The passing over of P. Burt, of Otago, is surprising, as he was regarded as a certainty. W. J. Clark, of Golden Bay, who is at the back of the scrum with Sonntag, is an unknown quantity down this way. When announcing the -team the selectors stated that the final selection for positions rested only with those available for the Australian tour. This may explain the omission of one or two players. It is understood, however, that M’Gregor, who has been picked, is unable to make the trip to Australia. J- P-