ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

(Br Centre-Half.)

HOW THE SELECTORS DID IT. The Selectors and the Hat. Will tho unexpected happen to-day? That is, will Wellington be successful in defeating Canterbury? 'l'he writer will bo somewhat surprised if the unexpected does happen; so will a number of others. Comparing the two teams on paper, Canterbury ought to win, provided that they place t'lieir original- team in t'ho field. Looking at Wellington's side one is inclined to wonder whether tho selectors have even tried to select tho team. It rather looks as if our eleven defenders had boon drawn by lots something liko this: Fourteen names wero put in a hat, and the places for eleven players on the field were placed in another hat. Ono of Oho three selectors held the two hats, and the other two drew names and positions. Tho result is that we have got something of a "mix-up." But what does it matter? Tho shield is a "wliito elephant" as far as Wellington is concerned, and it is not wanted here. Apparently the southerners can take it away willingly as far as tlhe executive officers of the W.F.A. are concerned. But the players think differently. They do not like defeat, and so, probably, they will play up this afternoon. So mote it be. .

"Working" the Hat, . Coining again to tho "drawing by lot," it was fortunate that the selectors managed to draw Hollis as gcal-keeper. They might have drawn Hughes (centre-for-ward), or Vessey. As it is,, they have happened to have drawn a goal-keeper, but not Wellington's . exeellont 'keeper, Belliamio. He certainly should ' have been chosen. He lias been Wellington's custodian all the season, and should have had a game t6-day against the strongest team which has visited Wellington this season. Fate was kind when tho names of the two full-backs, and their respective positions, were drawn from tho hats, and all are no doubt glad to see that Cross and Parsons' aro a"ain associated. In drawing tho half-backs, there appears to have been a slight mix-up in tho hats again. This was probably duo to the selectors having mixed up the pieces of paper when drawing for tho position of goal-keeper. Anyway it was a slico of good fortune that Shaw and Roots wero drawn for tlie position of righlt-half and centre respectively. But something must have happened to Brownlee's name. And now tho writer remembers. Brownleo informed tho selectors on last Thursday week that ho had been "put to enough inconvenience" by them in past matches, so he would not turn out if selected—or dTawn—this time. Hence we have Skinner in the team as left-half and Rickerby remained in the hat. Shudders. It is not to be wondered at that She two selectors who were did wing the names, from the hats held by tho third selector are reported to llave sQiuddered when the operation of drawing tlie forward line came. Whether they did or not tho result is the same. Some men are in the team who should not be there, and then again others out of their original positions. If selectors had really "selected'" tho forwards we misjht have had Vessey in the team as centre in place of Hughes. Tlie hands that drew loadsman (outsideright) and Gibson (inside-right) from tho hat deserve credit. These two are worth their places. In drawing the two leftwing men, however, tho papers must have become somewhat again mixed. For instance, A. Lowe is playing outside-left, and this is his right position. He is worthy of it. But look at Barnett as inside-left! Is this fair to other insidelefts in Wellington.? Barnett is ossrutially an outside loft just as A. Lowe is. Both men are good players in their correct and, .if anything, Lowe should have . .had preference in tlhis match. C. O'Shea should hare been selected to fill the position of inside-left, which is his proper olaee.' On to-day.'fl match lih® xcsison why A. Lowe aiid O'Shea. Should be playing on tho left-wing is because thov are against a "solid proposition" in Baxter, Fullarton, Scriven, Ward, and Bissett. Good Wishes. For the last three shield, matches I have wished Wellington the best of luck, and expressed the liopo that tho best team would win. As a matter of fact, Wellington has had'some luck i.n retaining the trophy, and the better team has not won in every case.. The better team won against Canterbury on Juno 3, and against. Taranati in .Tuly. but Otago was tho bettor team when their turn came to figure on the Basin. For to-day I am going to vary my wishes. I wish Canterbury tlie best ,of luck, and may the team that plays tho best game win.