The same year Beetson received a Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". David Gallop, the head of the NRL, added: "Arthur was such an imposing figure in so many ways that I think everyone is having trouble accepting that this has happened. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. They heard how at 35, a lion-hearted Beetson provided the fire and pride that gave birth to State of Origin at Lang Park in 1980. You were a proud man, a For further information please contact NPG Copyright. Beetson farewelled at Brisbane service Wally Lewis Biography [24] Anthony Mundine and Megan Davis also condemned the decision not to put forward Beetson's name for the honour. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. While he was forced to play with the NSW Blues, due to the team selection criteria being based upon the location of the club where the player was contracted rather than their home state, his heart was always with Queensland. Even one of the greatest Australian could not escape the fate of too many of his Indigenous Australian brothers and sisters. The great League coach Jack Gibson once said Arthur Beetson could ''do it all'' on the football field and ''sell tickets'' too. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. Family: Spouse/Ex-: Jacqueline Lewis. Beetson's rugby league career began with Redcliffe in the Brisbane Rugby League competition between 1964 and 1965. While he was forced to play with the NSW Blues, due to the team selection criteria being based upon the location of the club where the player was contracted rather than their home state, his heart was always with Queensland. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people. Meanwhile, having left Balmain, he led Eastern Suburbs to the premierships of 1974 and 1975. (age23in1968). What a great man. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. His main position was at prop. The legacy of rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson lives on through his grandson Jack Beetson, a towering prop who toured New Zealand last month with the
Andreas Andrianopoulos Melbourne, Articles A