Godfrey Lonsdale Stettler & Rugby League

Get ready to delve into the sporting life of Godfrey Lonsdale Stettler, better known as Gordon or Lon throughout his rugby league career. But why were these his nicknames? It turns out that his father, Godfrey Stettler, was a well-known competitive runner in Parramatta and shared the same name as his son. Godfrey Jr.'s father also played grade cricket and rugby for the Parramatta football team back in the day when there was no rugby league competition.

Born in 1900 in Parramatta, Godfrey was the fifth of six children. His mother, Mary Jane Lonsdale, was the daughter of a convict, and it was from her side of the family that the Lonsdale name originated. Growing up, Godfrey was surrounded by sports enthusiasts - his older brothers Leslie and Wallace played rugby for Parramatta, while his sister Kathleen played competition tennis.

Sports were a huge part of Godfrey's life from an early age. At the age of 12, he won a swimming race at the Parramatta District swimming carnival. Two years later, in 1914, he played rugby for Parramatta High School, marking the beginning of his rugby career. He continued playing rugby for St Johns and Parramatta, but it was around 1919 when he joined the Western Suburbs Rugby League team, which had just been established in the new Sydney Competition. Interestingly, Parramatta did not have a rugby league club until 1946.

But how did rugby league start in the first place? It all began in 1907 when rugby union players grew unhappy with the New South Wales Rugby Union's amateur ethos, which didn't pay players or offer compensation when they were injured. These players then embraced a new code that paid athletes for playing the game, and they adopted the rules played by the Northern Union of England since 1895. The first game was played in April 1908, firmly establishing the unique break between the two rugby codes.

Godfrey made a name for himself in the rugby league world, playing 46 games for Western Suburbs 1st grade between 1919 and 1926. He mostly played as a winger and led as the captain, making 18 tries and 45 goals, resulting in a total of 144 points.

He was so talented that he played in the NSW Representative team in 1925, scoring 4 tries and 9 goals and earning a total of 30 points in 4 games. He also went on to play for city (known as Metropolis) against country.

1926 Taking a pass playing for Wests

After rugby league, Godfrey continued playing cricket and snooker. Godfrey spent his working life as a clerk and accountant, and in February 1946, at the age of 46, he married a widow Ruby Jane (Diamond) Moffit. However, they do not appear to have had any children. Godfrey died on 4th June 1951 aged 51 yrs. and his wife went on to live to 89 years dying in 1987.

Godfrey's story is a testament to his sporting prowess and dedication to the game. His legacy lives on in the rugby league community and is sure to inspire future generations of athletes.