if goal-keeper misjudges a shot, or fails to stop a ball, at least one game is irretrievably lost. Let the bail through, and you may rest on your crosse, while your antagonists throw their sticks in the air, and “hurrah!” and your side look glum and blue. Point may be Point to perfection; Centre may be all that could be wished, and your fielders swift as the antelope, but of what avail, if you fail? Brave defence cannot compensate for loss of victory. What matters it, comparatively, if the ball passes any other player; nothing is really lost? Who blames a fielder if he evades swift balls?—but who forgives the goal-keeper?
The single responsibility is the principal reason, why so few players select the goal in preference to any other position.
It is a common error to suppose that the Indians never had special men at the goals. Where the single pole was used there was no necessity for a special defender; but wherever the present goal was in use, one or more men were placed at the flags, or conveniently near. Proximity to the goal was governed by the size of the ground, the number of players, and the face of the game.
