W.J. “Nipper” TRUSCOTT (Legend)

Most champions learn the game as schoolboys but ‘Nipper’ Truscott was a Sydney schoolboy who played rugby until his parents moved to the W.A. Goldfields where, with his adaptability to all ball games, he quickly learned the Australian Code.

Playing for Mines Rovers, he soon became the clear-cut champion of the Goldfields. He was selected in the WA State Carnival side in 1908. One of his great merits was his disposal of the ball, always it was a drop kick, stabbed with the name of the recipient on it. Truscott possessed a long, easy stride, which made him faster than he appeared and he was a master of ground play. ‘Nipper’ played the game as it should be played, with skill and with scrupulous fairness. In addition to Nipper’s East Fremantle career he played close to 200 games in the Goldfields with 9 of his State games coming during his time there. His overall carnival participation covered all 5 Australian Carnivals over his career - 1908, 1911, 1914, 1921 and 1924.