Dolphins, Roosters to honour Artie

Photo courtesy of Dolphins NRL

The Dolphins and Roosters will be fighting for a top-eight spot on the NRL ladder when they face-off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, but they will be united in honouring a legend of both clubs during Indigenous Round – the late, great Arthur Beetson.

Beetson, the first Indigenous person to captain an Australian team of any sporting code, will be honoured with the awarding of the Artie Legacy Medal to the player of the match.

But Beetson’s shadow will loom even larger across the match on Saturday, with sons Brad (Dolphins) and Mark (Roosters) to lead the teams onto Suncorp Stadium prior to the match. The teams will form a Boomerang shape for the Welcome to Country by Shannon Ruska.

The Beetson siblings will exchange Indigenous gifts on behalf of both clubs prior to the game.

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader says the match will be a stirring tribute to Beetson, who began his senior career by winning a Brisbane Rugby League Grand Final with the Dolphins before moving to Sydney and finding premiership glory with the Roosters.

“The memory of Arthur looms large in the histories of both clubs so to have this fixture between his two favourite clubs fall on Indigenous Round will make it an amazing occasion,” Reader says.

“It will be a night of celebration of all the great things Arthur did for the Dolphins, Roosters, Queensland and Australia.

“The fact that this game has massive finals implications for both teams will only add to the importance of the night.”

Dolphins’ partner Deadly Choices will help present the game, with 40 Indigenous children forming the guard of honour for the teams and participating in mini-league before the game.

The game will also be a special one for Dolphins’ Indigenous players Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Josh Kerr and Trai Fuller, who are all part of the squad.

Half-time performances will include Shannon Ruska's Tribal Experiences (Aboriginal) and Kutaw Zoeru (Torres Strait Islander) Dance Group telling the stories of the totems of Dolphins Indigenous Players. They are:

• Josh Kerr - Quandamooka (Totems: Carpet Snake, Dolphin and Quampi shell)

• Trai Fuller - Wulli Wulli (Totem: Tawny Frogmouth)

• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Torres Strait Islander from Saibai Island (Totem: Shark)

The game will kick off at 5.30pm at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The Artie Legacy Award will be presented to the Player of the Match, as voted by host broadcaster commentators.