The Magic Round clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins is more than just an NRL game – it honours the late and great Arthur Beetson, a rugby league Immortal.
Beetson, who won premierships at the Roosters (1974, 1975) and Dolphins (1965 in the BRL), was also a prescient thinker about the game. He wrote in his autobiography that his great wish was for the two clubs to play each other in the NRL.
He didn’t get to see it in his lifetime but his contribution to both has been immortalised by the Artie Legacy Medal, awarded for man of the match each time the sides clash.
Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi and Roosters backs Billy Smith and Sam Walker have been the three recipients to date.
Former Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said at the club’s presentation night in 2023 that the 28-18 win over the Roosters in the club’s inaugural match was invaluable in setting the new franchise on its way to success.
Dolphins chairman Bobby Jones, a former hooker, was one of Beetson’s dearest friends and played with him at the Roosters and Redcliffe.
Ahead of Friday night’s showdown at Suncorp Stadium he dissected the Beetson legacy.
“I thought about Arthur when we won our first game against the Roosters. He would have been so thrilled to see the event and his old Redcliffe boys prevail,” Jones told AAP.
“He would have been torn. He had a real close connection to Redcliffe because it was a launching pad for his career when he played in our first ever BRL premiership-winning side in 1965.
“He also had a strong tie with the Roosters both as a player and coach. It was there he became the premier front-rower in the game …ever.
“In the lead-up to the first game everyone was talking about the Roosters as premiership favourites and us as wooden spooners. We were inspired by Felise Kaufusi in particular who sorted a few Roosters boys out.
“For us to play the Roosters was something Arthur always had a vision for and believed in.”
Beetson finished his playing career at Redcliffe where he was captain-coach in 1981. He played alongside Jones after previously recruiting him to the Roosters.
“Arthur took me down there and he was held in such high regard by the community and club and everywhere. He was iconic,” Jones recalled.
‘”At Redcliffe in 1981 his drawing power was unbelievable. He had people just wanting to be where he was.
“We were strong. We won reserve grade and third grade and probably should have won the first grade.”By 1965 he had played his first two years with us in the centres, at five-eighth and even on the wing. He got moved into the second-row with five games to go in 1965 by (coach) Henry Holloway and it was a masterstroke. We won the comp and he went to Sydney as a forward.
“Getting a chance to go from Redcliffe to Sydney with him was something unimaginable for a youngster from Gunnedah. It was something dreams are made of.”
Dolphins winger Jack Bostock will play on Friday night and is determined to do Beetson proud.
“There is a rivalry, but also emotion,” he said.
“It is going to be a great game.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/best-of-both-beetson-worlds-collide-at-magic-round-c-18543448
