To commemorate the monumental impact Arthur Beetson had on rugby league, Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins will play for the inaugural Artie Legacy Medal in the opening round of the 2023 season.
With Beetson having strong ties to both the Roosters and Dolphins, the clubs are proud to signify Artie’s legacy with a medal, to be played for and at every game between the two organisations that enabled him to achieve his Immortal status.
The inaugural match will be played at Suncorp Stadium, a historically touching tribute to the late Beetson, who played the final game of his career at old Lang Park in the 1981 Brisbane Rugby League Grand Final, a game that also occurred at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon.
The rugby league icon began his career playing in Redcliffe, winning a premiership in 1965 before embarking on a journey to Sydney, where he played for other local clubs before joining the Roosters in 1971.
He’s engrained in the DNA here at the Roosters without a doubt. When you think about the Roosters, he’s probably one of the first names you think of. That 1974 and ’75 team that he captained was a world class side that could mix it up with any other team in any other era.
Anthony Minichiello Sydney Roosters Legend
Artie played 131 games across eight seasons in the Tricolours jersey, scoring 17 tries before being appointed Captain-Coach in 1977, and then Head Coach between 1985-1988.
Three of his final recruits, Mitchell Aubusson, Jake Friend and Anthony Minichiello are still actively involved at the club, with Aubusson and Friend leading the Sydney Roosters Academy and developing the next generation of Eastern Suburbs stars. While Minichiello works behind the scenes to enhance player wellbeing with a focus on nutrition.
Minichiello recalls the lifelong friendship he formed with Beetson while at the club, explaining that Artie was a “gentle giant” with a passion for getting the best out of people.
“In my first season back in 1997, Artie became a really good mate of mine and I could go to him for advice and other things,” he said.
“He’s engrained in the DNA here at the Roosters without a doubt. When you think about the Roosters, he’s probably one of the first names you think of. That 1974 and ’75 team that he captained was a world class side that could mix it up with any other team in any other era.”
Beetson was the first Indigenous person to captain an Australian sporting team, leading from the front in Queensland’s maiden State of Origin victory in 1980. He was a glimmering light on the representative stage, playing 28 Tests and World Cup matches for Australia, paving the way for future First Nations athletes to chase their sporting dreams.
From working at Easts Leagues Club making pies to being inducted into the Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame, Beetson truly embodied what it meant to be a Rooster and his legacy will forever be engrained in the club’s DNA.
On Sunday Beetson’s family will answer questions about the significance of the round and their father’s love of both clubs, while his grandchildren will run the match ball onto the field prior to kick-off.
Proceeds raised through the game day raffle will be donated to the Arthur Beetson Foundation, an organisation that helps to close the gap between Indigenous Australians to achieve better outcomes in health, education, sport, employment and business development.
In his autobiography ‘Big Artie’, Beetson explained that it was always his dream to see the Roosters and Dolphins face-off in the NRL and both clubs are proud to honour the everlasting influence he had with the Artie Legacy Medal.
