Sad to report that Arthur Beetson passed away this morning due to a heart attack.Arthur was probably the greatest forward that the game of Rugby league has known.A top bloke,a great man to be in the company of.Lousy card player though.god Bless you Arthur,and condolences to your family.Cheers Ibbo.
Besides being the QLDER, I remember Artie Beetson from the first State of Origin match, standing toe to toe with his Cantabury, Nsw team mate, at Lang park Qld. I think Qld won 10 to 6. He did a lot to ignite the great rivalry that is the State of Origin matches. RIP, Big Artie.
RIP Artie you will be missed by every QLD fan of the the great game of Rugby League. State of Origin would not have been the same without great characters like you
RIP Artie, it only seems like yesterday that you and Georgie Piper used to come into the Orange Grove hotel after training at Leichhardt oval for a few beers, was it that long ago.
Rest easy mate you are a true Aussie
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Goinsoon
I dont suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
Besides being the QLDER, I remember Artie Beetson from the first State of Origin match, standing toe to toe with his Cantabury, Nsw team mate, at Lang park Qld. I think Qld won 10 to 6. He did a lot to ignite the great rivalry that is the State of Origin matches. RIP, Big Artie.
Must admit even as a NSW supporter Artie was a great Player, maybe the best. In my playing days I tried to model myself on his style, never quite made it.
BTW Bill it was Parramatta that he and Mick Cronnin Played for.
Whether Artie is the best forward ever can be debated in pubs till closing time but, one of his main claim to fames was he was probably the first of the new era of forwards who wern't just barging machines but also had the skill & brains to be able to ofload the ball in any circumstances & not just run and be tackled, ball in hand.
Cheers
Jon
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Friday 2nd of December 2011 01:31:48 PM
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Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
BTW Bill it was Parramatta that he and Mick Cronnin Played for.
From memory Artie did his first season with the Rabbitoh's in about 1968/69. He then joined the arch enemy Balmain and after that I stopped following footy. By the way Mick Cronin also played for the Rabbitos early on and scored a record breaking tery in the grand final of 68.
BTW Bill it was Parramatta that he and Mick Cronnin Played for.
From memory Artie did his first season with the Rabbitoh's in about 1968/69. He then joined the arch enemy Balmain and after that I stopped following footy. By the way Mick Cronin also played for the Rabbitos early on and scored a record breaking tery in the grand final of 68.
Sorry he never played for the Rabbitos in the 60s
He left Redcliffe after the 64 season and went to Balmain in 65 he won a NSW premiership in his first year with the Tigers and was selected for the Australian side against England.
He joined easts in 1971 and he captained one of thegreatest teams in league history winning premierships in 74 and 75, he was also the first Aboriginal captain to any sport in Australia.
He played two seasons with the Parramatta eels in 79 and 80 and in 81 moved back to Redcliffe as captain/coach