Vale Arthur Beetson

22 January 1945 – 1 December 2011

Arthur Beetson was a colossus of Rugby League. He played 28 Test matches for Australia and also captained and coached the Kangaroos. Born in Roma, Queensland, Arthur made his Test debut at the SCG in 1966 against Great Britain. He joined Balmain in 1966 then played eight seasons with the Roosters, captaining the Roosters in their 1974 Premiership win.

He captained Queensland in 1980 to a historic win over NSW at Lang Park. Arthur was named one of the game’s immortals in 2003, one of the game’s greatest 100 players and is in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, as well as the Rugby League Hall of Fame. He was also chosen as a prop in the Team of the Century. The Men of League community extends its deepest sympathies to Arthur’s family and many friends.