Sun-Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1953 - 1954), Sunday 9 May 1954, page 36


Donohoe As Five-eighth Shock Move

By TOM GOODMAN

Kangaroo half- back Col Donohoe was chosen last night as five-eighth in the N.S.W. Rugby League team to play Queensland at the S.C.G. next Saturday.

This experiment will come as a big surprise to many football followers; but its possibility was being discussed by close observers after yesterday's

Sydney v Country ' games. I Donohoe was moved to five-eighth in the Country Seconds team for the second half of yesterday's early match, and gave a smart display.

The whole of Sydney Firsts pack has been selected.

Jim Evans and Norm Pro-van will make their first appearances in interstate football.

Three Country representatives included are centre Harry Wells, who played for the Firsts yesterday, winger Noel Pidding and Donohoe, who were in the Seconds.

A Country First forward, Fred Brown, is a reserve.

Sydney First backs to miss selection are winger Ray Preston, centre Johnny Hobbs, and five-eighth Jack Dougherty.

Most people expected South Sydney's Jack Dougherty to be the five-eighth,

C. DONOHOE

seeing that Frank Stanmore disappointed yesterday.

Perhaps the most significant thing that happened in yesterday's football was the manner in which Donohoe fell into the five-eighth job.

The 19-year-old Noel McKay had played well there (outside Donohoe) in the first half of the Seconds game - he had scored COuntry's two tries.

Bul Donohoe in the second half acted as an electric spark to the team.

He relished a good half-back service from Noel Hill, and he sliced through in great style.

He moved up quickly for

defence.

The State selectors, seated in the Old Members' Stand, and with the five-eighth posi-lion one of their problems, showed keen interest in this development.

Coach Vic Hey also was

interested.

The experiment was inspired by that football "thinker," Manly - Warringales honorary coach, Ray Norman.

He had been worried by two such smart half-backs as Donohoe and Hill having

only one half in their normal position in the Seconds'

match.

He persuaded his colleagues of the Country selection committee to make the change.

Holman and Donohoe should make a very smart attacking pair against Queensland's useful Connell and Banks.

Harry Wells deserved to I retain his place as a State

centre.

Solid Col Geelan has beaten Johnny Hobbs and Dick Poole for the other position.

Wingers Gordon Wil-loughby and Noel Pidding have been preferred to a good player in Brian Carl-son and also the useful Jack Lumsden.

Pidding's goal - kicking helped him there.

Pidding is an efficient player, though his apparent casualness recently has caused a bad impression.