Beetson dead following heart attack

Queensland and Australian Rugby League icon Arthur Beetson has today passed away at the age of 66 following a heart attack suffered while on the Gold Coast.

After a playing career that saw 221 club matches, the prop forward became the first player to represent both New South Wales and Queensland in the State of Origin Series in total playing in twenty-one matches.

Beetson played 29 times for Australia between 1966 and 1977 scoring one try but cementing his position in Rugby League folklore. He became one of the first Immortals named by the Rugby League Week magazine.

After retiring from playing Beetson coached Queensland on sixteen occasions resulting in thirteen wins against New South Wales, before coaching Australia once for one loss.

Beetson was cycling on the Gold Coast when he suffered the heart attack, passers-by and paramedics performed CPR however were unable to revive the Rugby League icon and he was pronounced dead shortly after nine am local time.