Parramatta – is there an NRL club name as readily recognised for its link to Aboriginal people? Taken as an anglicised version of Burramatta, its meaning refers to either “Place of the eels” or “place where the eels lie”.
The traditional owners of the land, the Burramattagal, are a clan of the Darug people and the eel is their totem. With its location on the point of the river where fresh water and salt water met, Burramatta was an important gathering place for indigenous people.
As a major Australian sporting code, it’s important for the NRL to honour the contributions of Aboriginal Australians to the game, and to also play a role in the wider community’s awareness of Indigenous issues and achievements.
The theme of this year’s NRL Indigenous Round is “Recognise”. With a wonderfully designed jersey by Daren Dunn, the Parramatta Eels are significant participants in this weekend’s celebrations.
For our part, TCT would like to recognise some of the talented Aboriginal players who’ve donned the famous blue and gold jersey.
Jamal Fogarty models the Eels Indigenous jersey.
Accordingly, I’ve assembled a team list honouring some of the best Indigenous players that I’ve witnessed during my lifetime following the Eels. No doubt there will be notable omissions or selections that could be disputed. Regardless, the aim of this post is to recognise the contributions that all indigenous players have made to our club.
The Team
Fullback – Bevan French
Although only starting his career, French has already earned plaudits for his freakish try scoring ability. His selection for the 2017 Indigenous All Stars team spoke volumes of his rapid rise in the NRL. Having stated his long term intention of being a one-club player, he appears destined to be spoken about for years to come.
Wing – Jason Moodie
This recruit from Newcastle made the 2002 Origin team on the back of his strong form with the Eels. A member of the record breaking 2001 Parramatta side, the tall and pacy winger was the ideal finisher for a team renowned for its attacking potency.
Wing – David Liddiard
A speedy winger, Liddiard was both Dally M rookie of the year and Premiership winner with the Eels in an incredible 1983 season. His finishing ability made him a real punctuation point on the end of a potent Parramatta backline. Liddiard has since gone on to kick plenty of goals as an advocate and administrator for Aboriginal Youth organisations.
Centre – Steve Ella
It’s probably impossible to adequately summarise the career and contributions of Steve Ella. Local junior, premiership winner, Origin star, Kangaroo, Eels legend. Zip Zip had the ability to change direction without losing pace. Ella is another Indigenous star who has proudly gone on to work with the Aboriginal community.
Steve Ella – a Parramatta legend.
Centre – Timana Tahu
Another backline star recruited from the Newcastle club, Tahu had two stints with the Eels that were punctuated by his foray into rugby union. Blessed with both power and pace, the talented three quarter was a handful for opposition defences. An Origin star, Tahu also had the distinction of being a dual international.
Five – Eighth – Corey Norman
One of two current Eels stars to feature in the list, Norman is widely tipped to be next in line to earn a Queensland Origin pivot jersey. The Eels marquee player is also one of the favourites for this year’s Dally M Medal. Norman possesses all of the attributes of a star playmaker – pace, vision, passing skills and a sound kicking game. His best years are still ahead.
Half – John Simon
Once praised by Brian Smith as the smartest player he had coached, Simon earned Origin and Australian honours during his career. The talented half was part of Parramatta’s revival in the early years of Smith’s coaching tenure in the late 1990s. The solidly built Simon had exceptional kicking skills and deceptive pace. Plenty of Eels fans were disappointed when he was moved on.
John Simon – a clever half.
Lock – Daniel Wagon
One of a number of Brian Smith recruits on this list, this time from the Dragons, Wagon would go on to clock up over 200 games for the Eels. Although originally a winger, he eventually made his mark as both a back rower and pivot with the Eels. Wagon played 3 games for Queensland in 2001 and was a member of the 2001 Kangaroo tour.
Second Row – Dean Widders
The 2004 Ken Stephens Award winner joined the Eels from the Roosters in 2002. The talented back rower became renowned for his creativity and deceptive pace. A Country Origin and Prime Ministers 13 representative, Widders has also received deserved praise for his services to Aboriginal education.
Dean Widders – a fine footballer and a great Australian.
Second Row – Mark Tookey
What a crowd favourite this big fella was at Parramatta Stadium! Although primarily a prop, I’ve selected “Tooks” in the back row. Recruited from the now defunct Crushers in 1998, Tookey made his name as an impact player during his 40 appearances with the Eels.
Prop – Geoff Bugden
One of the 1986 “bookends”, the rugged prop joined the Eels from Newtown in 1982. A Rothmans Medalist in 1980, his move would bring him premiership success during Parramatta’s golden era and also earn 1983 Origin selection. Following an outstanding 1986, he was desperately unlucky not to score a place on the Kangaroo tour of that year.
Dummy Half – Nathan Peats
Although currently playing for the Titan’s, Peats courageous play for the Eels has earned him a legion of blue and gold fans. A tenacious defender renowned for his line speed, his performances have been rewarded with three City jerseys and three Indigenous All Star appearances.
Prop – Arthur Beetson
What an honour it is to be able to name one of rugby league’s immortals in this list. Artie Beetson was the master of what is now referred to as second phase play. Although he joined the Eels towards the end of his illustrious career, the mercurial forward could still mesmerise the Cumberland crowd with his ability to offload the ball in traffic. Selected from Parramatta for the inaugural Origin match, his hit on Eels team mate Mick Cronin really kick started the “mate against mate” folklore of Origin footy.
The one and only Arthur Beetson.
Honourable Mentions
Current Eels winger, Josh Hoffman has Indigenous All Star representation in his resume and is worthy of inclusion. However, in a selection battle that also included Willie Tonga, I decided on David Liddiard.
Will Smith, Jamal Fogarty and Nathan Davis are Indigenous players in the current squad.
There were some fine players from the past that didn’t make my team, and it’s important to acknowledge them. Chris Sandow, Carl Webb and PJ Marsh certainly had claims for inclusion in the top 13.
Others to make a mark included Anthony Mitchell, Glenn Liddiard, Reece Robinson, Luke Kelly, Dennis Moran, Mark Bugden, Brad Garrett, Ronald Prince, Esi Tonga, Jono Wright, Beau Champion and John Vincent.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive and there may be players of Aboriginal heritage that I have unfortunately overlooked. For those that I haven’t named, let me still thank you for wearing the Parramatta jersey.
Finally, in this important NRL Round, let’s all pause for a moment to recognise that we are fortunate to live in a country which is home to the oldest continuing culture in the world – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands people.
I’m certainly grateful.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I admire how you paid such respect to their heritage.
Thanks Rob.
What a great read Sixties. The NRL would do well to utilise your writing and research skills for next years “Indigenous Round”. As Rob said, you wrote an article that is respectful to their heritage and to the individual. On Artie, I believe he could have been the greatest player to play the game if he had trained as hard as someone like Wayne Pearce. Ella, Widders, Liddiard were such exciting players to watch, and since retiring, have gone on to help other indigenous people have a better life. Bevan French reminds me of Ella, on the field and off (both slight, fast, evasive, skilful, and real gentlemen). French has obviously had a well grounded upbringing, and his mentors, Ray Blacklock and Preston Campbell, (two former players doing so much for others) will ensure that remains so. Despite being an Eels supporter, my favourite player for many years was Preston Campbell (such a courageous player who played well above his weight). I was at the 1975 City v Country match and if I recall correctly an indigenous player from Moree called Mark Wright (Newtown Flash?) was playing City Seconds. Although he wasn’t on the scene as a First Grade player for long, while he was there he was an exciting player to watch. As a seventeen year old I played against a fellow who I thought I would be able to account for easily as he looked too old. Well he completely embarrassed me the whole game. His teammates said don’t worry about it, he does that to everyone. He was an indigenous player called Roy Stewart and what a player he was. I found out that he was a great, country player that had also played for South Sydney. Cheers, Trev.
Wow your team is very close to the one I picked last year with a few mates. I also posted it on one eyed eel as a thread. I didnt have Corey Norman as I was unaware he was Aboriginal. Great article!
Norman was interesting. There was more information that I found about his eligility for New Zealand than his Aboriginal heritage. However, I found an official Broncos release about him being on the Indigenous All Stars Shortlist during his time there.
As an interesting aside I believe that Corey and Brett Kimorley are cousins
Yes, great article, Sixties. Steve Ella was my childhood footballing hero. I can remember sneaking away from my parents and catching the train to Belmore just to watch him play. The year was 1985, and quite a few of Parramatta’s best players were in England at the time. The Zip Zip Man was brilliant during that period – as indeed were Pricey, the Crow, Paul Mares and David Liddiard.
We certainly were without some stars in the early part of that season. That was back when RL was a winter sport in England and players would earn extra coin by playing the Australian off season in the UK. Of course, Sterlo and Kenny featured in that famous Challenge Cup final.
Appreciate the feedback I’ve had here and on Twitter for this post.
Nice read Sixties and I never knew that was John Vincent’s heritage. He was a player from my favourite era and remember him contesting the fastest forward sprint losing to Saints Barry Beath.
I think that Denis Moran also deserves an honourable mention for his part it that wonderful 1998 SF vs. the NS Bears!
BTW just a small type re Geoff Bugden…’86 not ’96.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for picking up the typo – now corrected.
Moran certainly played a couple of ripper matches in the late 90s.
I was also wondering about another Moran – John – from the 70s.
Barry Beath was a very fast forward in his time. I saw him rundown Brian “Chicka” Moore as he was heading for the Try line at the old Sydney Sports Ground. Moore was a professional sprinter
Barry Beaty vs Chicka Moore! That’s a flashback John ……. showing your age mate.
I was only 3 when I was at the game
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