Arthur Beetson 7th Immortal

[Anonymous]

Beetson the Seventh Immortal
Written by: Matt Starkey
23/9/03 www.leagueunlimited.com


Queensland rugby league legend Arthur Beetson has been inducted as the sport's Seventh Immortal.

One of the greatest attacking forwards the game has produced, Beetson played three games for Queensland - including the first Origin game - and 14 Tests for Australia.

He's best remembered for being plucked out of reserve grade with Parramatta to captain the Maroons in the inaugural Origin clash in 1980, leading his home state to a 20-10 victory.

He joins Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, John Raper, Bob Fulton, Graeme Langlands and Wally Lewis. The former Test and Queensland captain was named for the honour in Sydney tonight as part of the Footy Show Awards.

Ian Heads was Rugby League Week editor when he conceived the idea of Rugby League Immortals 22 years ago. Heads was also part of the panel that chose Beetson as the Seventh Immortal ahead of players such as Mal Meninga, Ken Irvine, Steve Rogers and Peter Sterling.

The other panel members were current RLW editor Martin Lenehan, Norman Tasker, Ray Warren, David Middleton and Geoff Prenter.

 

[Anonymous]

Good choice imo.

 

[Southernsaint]

I was hoping for Norm Provan, but Beetson is still a great choice, in my opinion. A great servant to Queensland, Australia & the clubs he played for.

Cheers,
Ben S.

 

[Anonymous]

Norm Provan is most definitely worthy but to have a 4th St George legend included probably worked against Sticks.

It had to be a forward and Big Artie was always short odds to get the nod.

 

[JJ]

Good choice - but then any of the nominated players would have been good choices.

Personally I'd have been tempted to go for Sterling or Provan (but as has been pointed out, 4 Dragons might not look too good).

I'd really like to see Sterling there at some stage.

 

[half]

it was good to see a a parra legend in artie beetson get it

but i was really hoping for sterlo or cronin or hindy

 

[ozzie]

got to laugh - a parra legend - hmm - what about Balmain and the Roosters...

maybe you want to claim Jayson Cayless as a Parramatta legend too along with Robinson and WIDDERS and SOLOMANO and RUSSO!!

 

[Alan Shore]

Beetson is deserving. Congratulations mate.

 

[Southernsaint]

got to laugh - a parra legend - hmm - what about Balmain and the Roosters...

maybe you want to claim Jayson Cayless as a Parramatta legend too along with Robinson and WIDDERS and SOLOMANO and RUSSO!!

I wonder why Bob Fulton - the Manly legend - wasn't there last night??

Cheers,
Ben S.

 

[slippery eel]

Artie should of been selected ages ago.

 

[The Colonel]

got to laugh - a parra legend - hmm - what about Balmain and the Roosters...

maybe you want to claim Jayson Cayless as a Parramatta legend too along with Robinson and WIDDERS and SOLOMANO and RUSSO!!

You lot claim Fittler as a Roosters Legend so whats the difference?

Would claim Jason Cayless however you can keep Robinson cos he still sucks like he did when he was at the Eels.

 

[Anonymous]

I think there's more than a few people who think Artie is a Queensland legend.

 

[half]

got to laugh - a parra legend - hmm - what about Balmain and the Roosters...

well parra claims jason taylor's goal-kicking record

so i'll claim artie too \\/

 

[The Colonel]

No matter who he played for the man is an absolute legend - Qld, NSW (he pulled on the Blue jersey b4 SOO) , Balmain, Roosters and to a lesser extent the Eels....

 

[Noel]

Southern Saint was wondering why Bob Fulton wasn't in attendance for such an important occasion. My only guess is that he did not want to appear on Fatty's show due to a long-running fued.

 

[XXXX]

Found memories of Beetson ,Fairfax and Harris .That was a different era-IMO real entertaining .Which era do people believe was the better to watch ?

 

[Raider_69]

IMO i think you could make a case for all nominees, it really would have been a hard decision.... no matter what it was, i dont think you find to many that disagree

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I was hoping for Brett Kenny or Sterlo but the we got ANOTHER PARRAMATTA LEGEND in Arthur Beetson wining the award.

Great to see such a Parramatta legend wining it.

Would be great next time to see another Parramatta legend win it!!

 

[Bobby DIGital]

LOL @ you Parra guys.

 

[The Colonel]

Well we do have to take something positive out of this year! :roll: