Jack Beaton
Centre, Fullback, Winger
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2008
- Date of Birth:
- 12 February 1914
- Birthplace:
- South Grafton, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Debut Team:
- Eastern Suburbs
- Date:
- 25 April 1934
- Opposition:
- South Sydney
- Venue:
- Sydney Sports Ground, NSW
- Representative:
- City, New South Wales, Australia
- Clubs:
- Lismore, Eastern Suburbs
Career
Milestones
- Premierships: 1935-37, 1940
- Kangaroo Tour: 1937-38
- Rated No. 89 in Rugby League Week’s Top 100 players: 1992
Playing
- First Class Games
- 94
- Points
- 433
- Tries
- 47
Biography
John James (Jack) Beaton's rugby league career was brief, yet in just five extraordinary seasons he established himself as an all-time great. Beaton was a member of the great Eastern Suburbs team of the 1930s, a versatile player who was equally at home at fullback, wing or centre; he was also an accomplished goalkicker.
Originally from Yass in southern New South Wales, Beaton played league as a youngster before heading to Sydney to attend St Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill.
There he developed into one of the finest footballers in GPS history, representing St Joseph's first XV from 1930 to 1932.
In 1933, Beaton moved to Lismore, where he captained the local league team, before returning to Sydney a year later to link up with Easts.
He played for New South Wales for the first time that season. With Beaton an integral member, Easts developed into one of the great club teams, rewriting the record books with a series of astonishing performances. In 1936 and 1937 the club was undefeated in premiership matches.
Beaton made his Test debut against the Jim Brough's English side in 1936 and toured with the Kangaroos of 1937–38, but after returning to Australia he shocked the league world by announcing his retirement.
In difficult times, the opportunity to hold down full-time employment was too good for Beaton to pass up, so at the age of 24 he slipped quietly into league history.
“In all his football he reveals the chivalry of a knight.”
J.C. Davis, 1938 Editor of The Referee
36. Jack Beaton - Hall of Fame
Career Stats
Club Career
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore Marist Brothers | Lismore Competition | 1933 | 1933 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Eastern Suburbs | Premiership | 1936 | 1938 | 38 | 16 | 62 | - | 178 |
| Eastern Suburbs | City Cup | 1937 | 1937 | 3 | 3 | 11 | - | 31 |
Representative Career
City - Country
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Firsts | Country Firsts | 1934 | 1937 | 4 | 3 | 5 | - | 19 |
State
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Interstate Series | Queensland | 1934 | 1937 | 12 | 13 | 3 | - | 45 |
| New South Wales | Touring Teams | 1936 | 1936 | 1 | - | - | - | - | |
| New South Wales | Tour Matches | 1935 | 1935 | 2 | 4 | 8 | - | 28 |
International
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Tests | 1936 | 1938 | 10 | 1 | 14 | - | 31 |
| Australia | Tour Matches | 1937 | 1938 | 22 | 5 | 43 | - | 101 |
Other Representative
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rest | New South Wales | 1934 | 1934 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Sydney | England | 1936 | 1936 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
Hall of Fame Members
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
