Queensland legend Arthur Beetson could be inducted into Blues Hall of Fame

MAROONS legend and rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson could be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

IT is potentially the biggest interstate outrage since Arthur Beetson planted one on the chin of his Parramatta Eels teammate Mick Cronin to christen State of Origin football 37 years ago.

Even bigger than Macksville’s born and raised Greg Inglis inexplicably being allowed to play for Queensland.

The NSW Rugby League wants to make Queensland Maroons legend Beetson a member of their soon-to-be-formed Blues Hall of Fame.

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Yep, the man who put State of Origin on the map in a Maroons jersey and Queensland’s favourite son is to be honoured by the Blues as one of their all-time greats.

Here’s why.

Beetson made three appearances for Queensland

Beetson played 18 interstate games over 11 years in the NSW jersey (prior to Origin) and only three in a Maroons jumper.

Surely even the Cane Toads can accept that, although this will predictably be seen as a scandal north of the border.

To kick-off the Hall of Fame, the first NSW players to be inducted will be from the Immortals — the game’s highest honour.

Beetson, Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Andrew Johns, Johnny Raper and Graeme Langlands will go straight in.

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Wally Lewis is the one Maroons Immortal, unless you include Beetson.

Originally from Redcliffe, Beetson joined the Balmain Tigers in 1966 before a stint in England and then seven years at the Sydney Roosters, who were then known as Eastern Suburbs.

He finished at Parramatta in 1980, from where he was plucked by Queensland for the first ever Origin game, owing to the fact he was born in Roma.

By that stage he was 35 years old and had made his representative debut 14 years earlier.

Beetson made his Queensland debut in the first ever Origin match.

Blues legend Mick Cronin agrees Beetson has to be in the NSW Hall of Fame.

“Arthur represented Australia from NSW,” Cronin said.

“I know how revered he is north of the border but he played just about all his football in Sydney.”

The first inductees will be announced at the True Blues dinner at The Star Casino on May 22.

The judging panel includes your columnist, Fairfax senior sports writer Andrew Webster and NSW Rugby League president George Peponis.

Guidelines are expected to include a minimum 10 games for NSW.

The inductees must also have played for Australia and been retired for at least five seasons.