ARE MOVING BRISKLY

NZ Truth, Issue 1271, 10 April 1930, Page 17

ARE MOVING BRISKLY

The Aussie Trip Is Magnet To League Players (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Events are moving along briskly m the League code. The A.R.L. held its annual meeting on Monday night, aiid the decks are being rapidly cleared for the new season. The Australian trip is practically a certainty. Details have yet to be finalised.

THIS coming jaunt across the Tasman is the first 'overseas trip since Bert Avery's band visited i England m 1926-7. These days, Bert is one of the League's selectors. A lot of the old hands however, are still m the firing-line. "Come-backs" will be plentiful this year. A trip to Aussie is not to be sneezed at. "Already there are rumors that several of the 'veterans are thinking of staging a "farewell re-appearance."

"N.Z. Truth" has it on good authority that "Gig" Wether ill, who captained Enzed against Parkin's "Bulldogs," haa already paid a visit to the family washhouse to see if any of 'his old togs are still presentable. "Gig" was topscorer for United m senior cricket last Saturday. Stopping fast stuff behind the sticks lias been Wetherill's chief occupa-

tion since he tossed m football . a year ago. The "mighty atom" keeps himself . fit. If he turns out again, he has only got to show his old form to walk back into the Maoriland side. His old club. City, promises to make a bold bid for champolnship honors this season. . City played some sensational games last year. Ernie Asher has some great stuff coming on. Shortland and Watene, the two Maori stars, who came over from Rugby last season, are already m training. Len and Laurie Barchard and McLaughlan, the smashing centre, are- all keen to get into it again. George and Bill Perry can be reckoned on, too, while young Pascoe ought to be well •m the ; running for the Sydney trip. Marist, last year's champions, are gen-

erally slow to get moving. Clipping the wing of the Roope Rooster at the end of the season is their long suit. Jim O'Brien is secretary again, and threatens to retire, but it remains to be seen if the old warhorse is finished yet. When Marist send out an s.o.s. for weight m front, he generally responds. Marist reckon on

most of last year's side. "Pope" Gregory,' Brisbane, Hassan, and "Bull" Brady will be the king-pins behind the pack. But young McDonald, who played one or two slashing games last season, is reported to be a nonstarter. On the games he played last season against South Sydney, Brady, has only got to reproduce that form td

fly into the side for Aussie. Devonport ought to be strong again. But it looks as though the Shoreites have lost the two Scotts. Alf. is away travelling for his firm, and Len is m the Islands. "Snow" Dixon was married the other day, and St. George is an unlikely starter. But there area lob of good youngsters coming on. Seagar, Beattie, the two O'Leary's, with Ruby, Rule, Casey and McCartney m front, will make a good backbone for the side. Ponsonby will keep them all moving. Hutt may be back from England, but "Tiger" Payne will be an absentee from all accounts. Delgrosso, however, will still ' be ythere to lead the side and kick the goals. Stevens looks tit as a fiddle already, and young Pat Skelton promises to be one of the biggest men m club ' football this year.