Beetson, Raudonikis to speak at Seagulls club
Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson and Tommy Raudonikis will be the guests at the Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club’s Sportsman’s Lunch on July 6.
Beetson played 74 games for Balmain from 1966-70, 132 games for Eastern Suburbs (1971-78) and 16 games for Parramatta (1979-80).
He also played 11 Tests for Australia and led Australia to World Cup wins in 1975 and 1977.
Raudonikis played 201 games for Western Suburbs from 1969 to 1979, and 32 games for Newtown (1980 to 1982).
He was the top Australian halfback in the 1970s, playing in the green and gold of Australia in Tests, World Cups and on Kangaroo tours.
Both were key figures in the inaugural State of Origin series and no doubt will have plenty to say about this year’s series.
I had the pleasure of hearing Beetson speak at a Queensland Indigenous sports award night several years ago. He told how some relatives came to visit him in Sydney.
On the wall was a picture of Beetson in his heyday.
One relation asked if he could take Artie’s picture.
No problems, said Artie, striking a pose.
But the relative grabbed the picture of Artie off the wall and started to walk out — the joke was on Big Artie!
The Sportsman’s Lunch will be at 12.30 on July 6 at the leagues club. Tickets cost $70 and include a two-course meal and beer and wine. Bookings to 6686 8100.
Meanwhile, Ballina Seagulls have the bye this weekend in Retravision Northern League.
Their next match is an away game against South Tweed. Ballina are at home to Cudgen on July 1.
