Who has been the greatest Indigenous player to wear the Eels jersey?

If we expand the scope of this question to entire careers rather than just a player’s time at the Eels, it’s an easily found answer.

The incredible Arthur Beetson wins in a canter.

That’s not a reflection of the talent across the entirety of the list of Eels Indigenous players. Rather, being considered the best of the best is a measure of the greatness of big Artie.

As further evidence, let’s defer to the greatest coach of all time, Jack Gibson, who had this to say about Arthur and his time at the Roosters.

“He could do it all on a football field and he could sell season tickets. He was an entertainer and a great player. With Beetson, things came so naturally to him that we had to restrict him. There just weren’t the people who could match his skills.“

The list of accolades that were earned by Artie were numerous, both as a player and a coach. But perhaps the most significant was his selection as captain of the Australian rugby league team in 1973.

Not only was he the first Indigenous player to captain an Australian team in any sport, he did so in an era when full equality for Indigenous people across Australia had been an ongoing battle (see the 1967 referendum and the 1983 Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Act).

In his presentation to the 2022 Eels team, Dean Widders referred to Beetson’s captaincy of his country as an example of rugby league being a game changer for Indigenous people, often ahead of the rest of society.

Beetson finished his Sydney career at the Eels, playing in the 1979 and 1980 campaigns. As a supporter, I’m proud that he is #375 on the Parramatta player list.

Restricting the nomination to career achievements at the Eels, it’s Steve Ella who wins my vote as the greatest. The Parra junior won four premierships, along with Origin and Australian representative honours. He was an amazing player to watch and an incredibly humble man to speak with should you ever get the opportunity.

Perhaps you might see this differently, but I reckon it would be hard to go past Steve.

And so we move to the present day.

In this year’s Indigenous round, the Eels will be wearing a jersey designed by Sean Kinchela, a proud Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri Man who tells stories passed down from his family through art.

Every season, I’m amazed by the Eels jersey designs produced for this round, and this year is no exception. The 2022 version might just be my favourite, and I reckon it’s too good to be worn just once.

Sean’s design is inspired by Burramattagal People, the local Darug clan known to have settled into Parramatta. The meeting places represent some of Sydney’s clan groups who interacted and used the Parramatta River as a means of living – from Darug People who made camp within Greater Western Sydney to the Toongagal People who lived within the area of Toongabbie.

The Parramatta River was highly significant to the Aboriginal people who lived alongside it for thousands of years. The Eel in the centre of the jersey represents the River which was used as a food source, cultural practice grounds and a means of transport.

The Parramatta NRL Club is readily recognised for its link to Aboriginal people. Taken as an anglicised version of the Darug name Burramada or Burramatta, Parramatta refers to either “place of the eels” or “place where the eels lie”. The eel is the totem of the Burramattagal.

For these reasons, the Parramatta club and the jersey design must always hold significance in this round.

In speaking to the 2022 Eels squad about Indigenous Round, Dean Widders referenced the following three areas of importance.:

1 Recognising the Impact of indigenous players on the game

2 Recognising the difference that the game makes in Indigenous communities

3 Paying respects to the game which has always been a game changer well ahead of the rest of society

 As a major Australian sporting code, the NRL has positioned itself as a leader in educating the wider community and assisting in the journey towards eliminating racism. Sport connects people, and rugby league is an avenue to important conversations.

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. The NRL plays an important part in communicating this to the Australian people, and to followers of rugby league around the world.

The Eels Dream Team

This time every year, I publish my Parramatta “Dream Team” as a way for TCT to recognise some of the talented Aboriginal players who’ve donned the famous Blue and Gold jersey.

Not much has changed over the last few years, just a couple of tweaks, but revisiting that list of players reminds me of how blessed the Eels have been when it comes to Indigenous players who have worn the Blue and Gold.

Once more, I’ll remind readers that my list only applies to players that I’ve watched during my lifetime following the Eels, and it’s merely my opinion.

I’ll be interested if any readers can identify Indigenous players that I might have overlooked. I’m especially interested if any reader knows of Indigenous players to have made first grade at the Eels prior to 1969.

Fullback – Bevan French

During his time at Parra, French earned plaudits for his freakish try scoring ability. His selection in the 2017 Indigenous All Stars team marked his early impact on the NRL. After being on the Eels radar for a 2020 return, Bevan continues to ply his trade in the ESL.

Wing – Blake Ferguson

Fergy Ferg! After a less than memorable 2020, Ferguson enjoyed a return to form in 2021. Origin star, Australian rep, Premiership winner and proudly Indigenous All-Star – the powerful Eels winger has done it all and been one of the NRL’s “characters” on that journey. After hitting the wrong headlines in his move to Japan, Fergo is continuing his career in England.

Wing – David Liddiard

A speedy winger, Liddiard was both the Dally M rookie of the year and a 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. Another legend that TCT have had the honour to host at Parra Leagues.

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. TCT has now had the good fortune to host Steve in two of our appearances at Parra Leagues.

Centre – Timana Tahu

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

Corey Norman always seemed to be on the cusp of Origin selection, and after leaving the Eels he finally achieved that honour. Though his last year at Parra wasn’t indicative of his best football, he was one of the most naturally talented players to have represented the Eels during the last decade. (My research into questions regarding Corey’s heritage have led to mixed feedback. I welcome any definitive information beyond basic website listings).

Half – John Simon

Once praised by Brian Smith as the smartest player he had coached, Simon validated that judgement by earning 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.

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 highly skilled back rower became renowned for his creativity and deceptive pace. A Country Origin and Prime Ministers 13 representative, Widders has received deserved praise for his services to Aboriginal education and is the current coach of the Eels NRLW team.

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. I believe it’s a very trim version of Tookey that people would meet these days.

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

Peats’ courageous play for the Eels earned him a legion of Blue & Gold fans. A tenacious defender renowned for his line speed, his performances were rewarded with City jerseys, Indigenous All Star appearances and a Blues Origin hooking spot.

Prop – Arthur Beetson

An Immortal has a place in a Parramatta 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 “interaction” with Eels team mate Mick Cronin really kick started the “mate against mate” folklore of Origin footy.

Interchange

Carl Webb

Webb doesn’t earn his spot on the list via his limited appearances with the Eels. However, he earned 15 Origin jerseys, made a test appearance for Australia and appeared in two Indigenous All Star matches. His time with the Eels may be less than memorable, but in his prime he was a very, very good forward.

Carl is currently battling serious health issues and our thoughts are with him.

John Vincent

John played with the Eels from 1969 to 1976 and was a fast, hard running second rower who was also used to great effect at centre and wing. Was he the first player of Indigenous heritage to play top grade for the Eels? I’m hoping a reader might be able to shed some light on this.

 

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 prowess.

Will Smith

Over the years, the versatile Smith moved closer to a starting spot in this team. However, Wilbur’s ability to cover virtually every backline position, on top of the dummy half role or even lock make him the ideal interchange player. After departing the Eels at the end of 2021, Will is currently playing for the Titans.

Honourable Mentions

There were some other fine players from the past that didn’t make my team, and it’s important to acknowledge them. Chris Sandow, and PJ Marsh certainly had claims for inclusion in the top 17.

It was difficult to omit Willie Tonga in the selection battle with David Liddiard. Tonga was an Origin star and Australian representative, though he reached those heights after departing the Eels. He wouldn’t let this team down.

Josh Hoffman played in every backline position. He also lists Indigenous All Star representation on his resume.

Others to make a mark included Ethan Parry, Anthony Mitchell, Glenn Liddiard, Reece Robinson, Luke Kelly, Dennis Moran, Mark Bugden, Brad Garrett, Ronald Prince, Esi Tonga, Jono Wright, Jai Field, and Beau Champion.

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.

Eels forever!

Sixties