I still remember going to leichhardt oval pre season training 1966 looking for the two centres we had got from the queensland club redcliffe a beetson and k yow yeh.keven had not arrived when i saw artie i though k humphries had lost his marbles hes to fat for a centre . well he never played in the backs but wow what a 2nd rower he was that year,he made the test side at the scg in half a game beat the poms on hes own .thats when ian walsh called him half a game artie.what a player i loved the big fella R.I.P. CHAMPION
Arthur Beetson has passed away
- Thread starter wtfl1981
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Citizen_Tiger
New member
The greatest forward that ever played the game and a Tigers legend has passed away and you relegate the news and the discussion that follows to 'Balmain and Wests State Cup and Jnrs'? That's just insulting. The lack of appreciation and/or an understanding of Beetson's place in the game is just mind numbing.
GoldXR50Leroy
New member
Vale Big Fella, one of the biggest misconceptions with Arthur that he was seldom fit and this was the reason why he only played that 'Half' a game against the Lions in 1966.
Arthur had been selected in the previous 2 Tests but had to withdraw through injury and despite still carrying that injury the selectors were that desperate to have him in the side he was chosen regardless of how many minutes he was able to play, 40 minutes in fact but in those 40 minutes a Legend was born.
After reading 'Archies' biography I learnt that he went very close to rejoining Balmain in the 70's and it was only a few minor things that saw him remain at the Roosters, wouldn't it have been great to have Arthur Coach Balmain in the 80's instead of the Neville's he coached at club level, perhaps the Tigers and Arthur could have scored that elusive Premiership together.
Rugby League has lost a truly great man and although I never met this Gentleman in Person I feel that I know him from his time in the game and his work in developing the game and Media work.
Arthur Beetson OAM RIP, Great Man.
Arthur had been selected in the previous 2 Tests but had to withdraw through injury and despite still carrying that injury the selectors were that desperate to have him in the side he was chosen regardless of how many minutes he was able to play, 40 minutes in fact but in those 40 minutes a Legend was born.
After reading 'Archies' biography I learnt that he went very close to rejoining Balmain in the 70's and it was only a few minor things that saw him remain at the Roosters, wouldn't it have been great to have Arthur Coach Balmain in the 80's instead of the Neville's he coached at club level, perhaps the Tigers and Arthur could have scored that elusive Premiership together.
Rugby League has lost a truly great man and although I never met this Gentleman in Person I feel that I know him from his time in the game and his work in developing the game and Media work.
Arthur Beetson OAM RIP, Great Man.
Im a fan or the Wests Tigers PURELY because of Arthur Beetson.
Not directly though. When Beetson played for Balmain in 69, he captured the imagination of a skinny wog boy (my dad) who used to be running around the hill area kicking balls around, making a general nuisance of himself.
Beetson was the first player to ever stop my then borderline hyperactive dad in his tracks, and dad started to actually watch the games of football, and not mess around on the hill - Beetson was the guy.
After one of the games, Dad had a very fortuitous opportunity to get an autograph from Beetson - except one problem - he didn't have any paper.
So Beetson did a very kind thing - He shook dads hand, then he signed it. Arthur Beetson SIGNED AN AUTOGRAPH right onto dads hand.
He apparently didn't wash that hand for 6 weeks, as the Beetson autograph took proud place on his palm above all else.
Needless to say, the Tigers went on and won it all that year, and Dad was hooked on rugby league and the Tigers since.
The rest as they say is history…
Rest in Peace big fella.
Not directly though. When Beetson played for Balmain in 69, he captured the imagination of a skinny wog boy (my dad) who used to be running around the hill area kicking balls around, making a general nuisance of himself.
Beetson was the first player to ever stop my then borderline hyperactive dad in his tracks, and dad started to actually watch the games of football, and not mess around on the hill - Beetson was the guy.
After one of the games, Dad had a very fortuitous opportunity to get an autograph from Beetson - except one problem - he didn't have any paper.
So Beetson did a very kind thing - He shook dads hand, then he signed it. Arthur Beetson SIGNED AN AUTOGRAPH right onto dads hand.
He apparently didn't wash that hand for 6 weeks, as the Beetson autograph took proud place on his palm above all else.
Needless to say, the Tigers went on and won it all that year, and Dad was hooked on rugby league and the Tigers since.
The rest as they say is history…
Rest in Peace big fella.
@Citizen Tiger said:
Its the appropriate section imo….
Was fortunate enough to see him in his prime at the Roosters....he dominated games easily, he was unstoppable.
RIP Artie, Tommy's lost his best mate.
G
Guest
Guest
TIGERS PAY TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR BEETSON
1/12/2011 2:29:51 PM
Wests Tigers and Balmain Tigers Rugby League Clubs were saddened to hear of the passing of Tigers legend Arthur Beetson this morning, aged 66.
Beetson played 74 games for Balmain from 1966 to 1970\. He went on play 235 first grade games following stints with Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta.
Balmain Tigers Chairman David Trodden said Beetson will always hold a special place in the Club’s heart.
“Arthur is one of the greatest players to ever pull on the Tigers jersey. He played in the 1966 Grand Final against St George and was a member of the famous 1969 squad despite missing the Grand Final,” Trodden said.
“He was one of the best ball playing prop forwards the game has ever seen. He was very tough, had great strength and was quite quick for a big man.
“Arthur is in the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame and his achievements as a player and later as a coach were incredible, culminating in him being named as one of the Immortals of the game.”
Wests Tigers Chief Executive Stephen Humphreys echoed Trodden’s sentiments and also wanted to thank Beetson for the important role he played in recruiting young players to the Club.
“Arthur was instrumental in recruiting a number of talented young players to Wests Tigers in recent years,’’ Humphreys said.
“He had a great eye for talent and potential and was genuinely interested in the welfare and well being of young recruits.
“Arthur was a giant of our game in so many ways and will be sorely missed by everyone at the Tigers. His legacy will always live strongly within our Club.”
Beetson toured with the Kangaroos in 1973 and played in World Cup sides in 1968, 1972, 1975 and 1977 (as captain).
He captained Australia in two Tests (1973 v France, 1974 v Great Britain) and went on to coach Australia in 1983 (2 Tests against New Zealand – winning one and losing one.
He captained Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980\. He coached the side from 1981-84 and 1989-90 to 11 wins and five losses. He coached Queensland to series wins in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1989.
At Club level, Beetson coached Easts from 1977-78 and 1985-88, taking them to the finals in 1977 and 1987\. He coached Cronulla in 1992-93.
He was named an Immortal of the game by Rugby League Week in 2003.
Footnote:
Information provided by David Middleton, League Information Services.
1/12/2011 2:29:51 PM
Wests Tigers and Balmain Tigers Rugby League Clubs were saddened to hear of the passing of Tigers legend Arthur Beetson this morning, aged 66.
Beetson played 74 games for Balmain from 1966 to 1970\. He went on play 235 first grade games following stints with Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta.
Balmain Tigers Chairman David Trodden said Beetson will always hold a special place in the Club’s heart.
“Arthur is one of the greatest players to ever pull on the Tigers jersey. He played in the 1966 Grand Final against St George and was a member of the famous 1969 squad despite missing the Grand Final,” Trodden said.
“He was one of the best ball playing prop forwards the game has ever seen. He was very tough, had great strength and was quite quick for a big man.
“Arthur is in the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame and his achievements as a player and later as a coach were incredible, culminating in him being named as one of the Immortals of the game.”
Wests Tigers Chief Executive Stephen Humphreys echoed Trodden’s sentiments and also wanted to thank Beetson for the important role he played in recruiting young players to the Club.
“Arthur was instrumental in recruiting a number of talented young players to Wests Tigers in recent years,’’ Humphreys said.
“He had a great eye for talent and potential and was genuinely interested in the welfare and well being of young recruits.
“Arthur was a giant of our game in so many ways and will be sorely missed by everyone at the Tigers. His legacy will always live strongly within our Club.”
Beetson toured with the Kangaroos in 1973 and played in World Cup sides in 1968, 1972, 1975 and 1977 (as captain).
He captained Australia in two Tests (1973 v France, 1974 v Great Britain) and went on to coach Australia in 1983 (2 Tests against New Zealand – winning one and losing one.
He captained Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980\. He coached the side from 1981-84 and 1989-90 to 11 wins and five losses. He coached Queensland to series wins in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1989.
At Club level, Beetson coached Easts from 1977-78 and 1985-88, taking them to the finals in 1977 and 1987\. He coached Cronulla in 1992-93.
He was named an Immortal of the game by Rugby League Week in 2003.
Footnote:
Information provided by David Middleton, League Information Services.
Blackpearl
New member
one the greatest league players ever and without doubt THE greatest forward to have ever played rugby league. a true immortal of the game and just simply, a wonderful human being.
with his mate " big jack " now, gone but will never be forgotten.
RIP artie
with his mate " big jack " now, gone but will never be forgotten.
RIP artie
1_4_chicken_chips
New member
RIP ARCHIE…The real.. real of rugby league legends
Tiger_Watto
New member
I have been lost a few times today since hearing this sad news. Having the chance to meet the big fella on several occasions, I always remember watching people in the room standing still while Big Artie spoke. Everyone would just stare at the big man and the hairs on the back of your neck would stand up upon giving him an applause.
I'll be raising a Meat Pie tonight, and I'd love you all to join me. To the memory of the true Legend, Arthur Beetson!
I'll be raising a Meat Pie tonight, and I'd love you all to join me. To the memory of the true Legend, Arthur Beetson!
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Only just found out about Artie and I am in total shock
Was fortunate to meet the big man as we played a Commonwealth Bank Cup game as a curtain raiser to the Easts v Port Moresby and Combined Brisbane v Manly National Panasonic game in 1986
Happy is rarely speechless and to have Artie congratulate me (got a hat trick) and ask me some questions and to be able to ask him some questions (once I stopped wetting myself) was a magical day .
My greatest memory of Artie was him running on to the field for thr 1ST SOO game (they were introduced individually)
I have never heard a bigger roar at the Cauldron ever
RIP Arthur Beetson You are a true legend
Was fortunate to meet the big man as we played a Commonwealth Bank Cup game as a curtain raiser to the Easts v Port Moresby and Combined Brisbane v Manly National Panasonic game in 1986
Happy is rarely speechless and to have Artie congratulate me (got a hat trick) and ask me some questions and to be able to ask him some questions (once I stopped wetting myself) was a magical day .
My greatest memory of Artie was him running on to the field for thr 1ST SOO game (they were introduced individually)
I have never heard a bigger roar at the Cauldron ever
RIP Arthur Beetson You are a true legend
Marshall_magic
New member
@Citizen Tiger said:
I started it in the general NRL section, where I thought it best belonged. It was moved here.
Another accomplishment he has that is often overlooked is the fact he was the first indigenous person to captain Australia in ANY sport. I've heard calls for a statue outside the SFS and having the Indigenous/NRL all stars play for the Artie Beetson Cup. Both should happen in my opinion.
clifferdSH
New member
Terrible news. Rest in peace you legend
Tigerdave
Well-known member
Just found out, RIP Artie
tigergirlz
New member
RIP Mr Beetson. Thank you for adding so much to the game of Rugby League.
mike
Well-known member
I had the privilege of having Artie come to one of our training sessions when I was 12 years old when he played for Balmain. Imagine 15 very excited kids tackling the big fella. He was very gracious with his time. I’ve always remembered that day, it was one of the highlights of my youth.
Rest in Peace big Artie
Rest in Peace big Artie
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