William Leonard Metherell (17 November 1908 – 30 October 1992)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the VFL during the 1930s.

Len Metherell
Personal information
Full name William Leonard Metherell
Date of birth 17 November 1908
Place of birth Boulder, Western Australia
Date of death 30 October 1992(1992-10-30) (aged 83)
Place of death Queensland
Original team(s) Subiaco (WAFL)
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 92 kg (203 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1927–29 Subiaco (WAFL) 045
1930–1936 Geelong 110 (117)
Coaching career
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1941 Geelong 18 (3–15–0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1936.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Metherell started his career in 1927 at Western Australian club Subiaco and topped their goalkicking with 49 goals. He went on to play 45 games for the club before transferring to Geelong.

In his debut season for Geelong he played in a losing Grand Final and in the following year, 1931, he was a member of Geelong's premiership side. Mostly a support ruckman, Metherell also rested a lot in defence and was joined by his younger brother Jack in 1932. He liked to crash through packs and was a regular exponent of the drop punt. Metherell polled well in the 1935 Brownlow Medal, finishing equal ninth.

He was coach of Geelong in the 1941 VFL season but could manage only three wins.[2]

Len was also an outstanding cricketer. He made 24 centuries between 1930-41 compiling 5465 runs at 66.6 in the Geelong Cricket Association. He was named in the G.C.A. Team Of The Century.

References

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  1. ^ "Len Metherell - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  2. ^ "AFL Tables - Len Metherell - Coaching Record". afltables.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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