Arthur Beetson

At the age of 35, and after playing 17 games for New South Wales before the introduction of the State of Origin concept, Arthur Beetson famously captained the Queensland Maroons in the inaugural State of Origin match, held at Lang Park in 1980.

Beetson, who was contracted to Parramatta, led Queensland to a historic 20-10 victory over New Souths Wales in front of a crowd of 33,210.

In 1981, Beetson returned to Queensland to captain-coach Redcliffe, and also was captain-coach for two inter-state games played under residential rules, with NSW winning both. He failed a medical for the stand-alone Origin match that year, and was replaced by Paul Khan. Beetson then coached the side to a famous 22-15 victory at Lang Park. Toowoomba's John McDonald had been coach for the inaugural Origin match.

Already well established as a great of the game; Beetson made history more broadly as the first Indigenous Australian to captain their country in any sport.

Beetson had great success coaching Queensland between 1981-1984 and 1989-1990, taking the Maroons to four series victories with a win rate of 69 per cent.

"The moment Arthur stood up to be counted against this enemy of ours, was the most important event in the history of State of Origin."

Dick 'Tosser' Turner Queensland team manager

In 2008, Beetson was named in the Queensland Rugby League Team of the Century along with fellow Queensland Legends and Rugby League Immortals, Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis.

Beetson passed away on December 1, 2011. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island readers are advised that this document contains the images and names of people who have passed away.