Players and the Game

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 109, 29 July 1927, Page 10

Players and the Game

IpEW footballers in Auckland of any code have a better reputation or a better record than G. Wetherall, the popular skipper of the City Rovers Football Club. “Giggy,” as he is known to a host of friends in the 13-a-side code, started his football in 1911, when he was selected to represent the Auckland Schools, and travelled to Hamilton as the captain of this team. He again filled the same position in 1912. In 1913 Wetherall tried his hand at the Australian game, and played for Eden Ramblers, but soon tired of this

branch of sport, and was attracted to the League code in 1915, when he captained the City sth grade team, when it won the competition with a great record, playing 12 matches and winning them all, scoring 230 points with only two points scored against it.

A City League Star

In 1916 his team came up a grade and won the 4th grade championship with another fine record, scoring 212 points against six points against it. This team also won the 4th grade championship in 1917, at the latter end of this year. In the Big Scrap in Europe, “Giggy’ answered his country’s call, and went into camp at Featherston, but remained there long enough to come up on final leave and assist City Seniors to defeat the Maritime team in the final of the championship in 1918. PLAYED IN EGYPT

The year 1919 found him in Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Expeditionary team which won the championship in Egypt. Wetherall is a holder of one of the King’s medals presented for this competition. He prizes this medal more that all the honours he has ever won. 3 920 found “Gig” back in Auckland as a member of City Seniors, and he has always been one of Auckland's most popular and clever backs. No representative team has been complete without him and he has played in every position in the backs from rep. half to fullback, but he is best known as a five-eighth, a position he has filled both for Auckland and New Zealand. “Giggy” assisted City to win the championship in 1921-22-23-25, and also when the Red and Blacks were runnersup in 1926. He has been captain since 1922. Wetherall is a wonderful defensive player and is almost uncanny at times. His forte is anticipation, and he ranks as one of the headiest players in the game. He was one of the “morals” Cor the trip home last year with the New Zealand team, but informed the selectors that he was not available owing to family reasons. Wetherall is still going strong and looks as though he will last a long time yet. It has been said elsewhere that he is going off this season, but such is not the case, as he is playing as well this season as ever, and the City team without him would be like an egg without salt.