Sunday Sesh: Grandson of Maroons icon Arthur Beetson to play for NSW

A big personality and loaded with potential. Meet the teenage grandson of Arthur Beetson who is turning heads and drawing comparisons to the rugby league Immortal.

The teenage grandson of rugby league Immortal and Queensland icon Arthur Beetson is set to wear the NSW jersey after making a junior representative team.

Rising star Billy Beetson was named in the NSW under-16 Koori team who will travel to New Zealand next month to take part in a development tour in Auckland.

Beetson, a second-rower or lock, already stands at 178cm, weighs about 90 kilograms and has a size 14 shoe.

He has just turned 14 as he looks to follow in the lofty footsteps of his grandfather.

“He is a bit of an enigma,” said Billy’s dad Mark.

“He has a lot of potential but has a very big personality.

Billy and Arthur Beetson. Credit: Supplied.

“He is a reincarnation of the old man. He has that personality where he is warm, really polite, respectful and has plenty of energy.

“The old man would be proud. One that he is representing his culture and people and two that he is loving playing football. The old man was a big believer it costs nothing to be friendly. Billy has that in spades.”

Billy was just one when Arthur died in 2011. But Billy is more than familiar about the legacy his grandfather left.

That includes Beetson helping establish and then play in the opening Origin match in 1980 for Queensland.

Billy Beetson, grandson of Artie, in action for the NSW under-16 Koori side. Picture: Paul Bramble

Prior to the formation of the traditional State of Origin series, Beetson played 18 games for NSW and being somewhat controversially included in the NSWRL Hall of Fame.

So just how would he feel about his grandson wearing a Blues jersey?

“Dad was a Queenslander through and through,” Mark said.

“He did everything he could play for the Maroons. But more than anything he would be happy his grandson is playing footy.

“Is there a grandfather rule in Origin? If not, the Queenslanders might just try to make one up.”

Billy has already had a taste of what it is like playing for Queensland after earning a spot in one of Queensland’s junior indigenous teams earlier this year.

Billy Beetson made the U'10 Easts touch footy team when aged just seven. Picture: Brett Costello

As it stands though he looks destined to be eligible for NSW.

Beetson, who plays rugby at Waverley College, is part of the Roosters set-up and is in the midst of training with their Harold Matthews squad.

The Bondi United junior has ambitions to give the NRL a crack.

“That is the goal,” Mark said. “He has started to put his head down. Before he was going through the motions. Now he know he has to work hard for it, needs to have the right attitude and he has fixed his diet up…I know my old man would be grinning.”

Originally published as Sunday Sesh: Grandson of Maroons icon Arthur Beetson to play for NSW