Luke Ricketson

Luke Ricketson (born 5 February 1973 in Forster, New South Wales) is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-row forward, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL.^[1] He became, over the course of his career, one of the most respected players to represent the Bondi club. He was known mostly for his tireless work in defence, where he set a benchmark for effort.

Biography

Son of former Easts player, Doug Ricketson, his family moved to Bondi from Forster when he was one year old. He started playing junior rugby league at seven for Bondi United. He was then graded with Eastern Suburbs as a local junior, debuting in first grade in 1991.

Playing career

Ricketson started out his First Grade career as a winger or centre, and gradually moved closer to the action in the middle of the field as his career went on, generally playing in the centres until he was moved into the second row in 1996.

It was during the 1996 season that Ricketson was first picked for City Origin due to his outstanding play in both defense, where he was considered one of the best, and attack in his new position. He played again for City in 1997 but had to wait until 1999 to make his State of Origin debut for NSW, coming off the bench in all three games in the first drawn series in Origin history which allowed Queensland to retain the State of Origin Shield.

Ricketson played at lock forward for the Sydney Roosters in their 2000 NRL Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos. After that he made his international debut when he played four games for Ireland at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

Ricketson played for the Roosters at lock forward in their 2002 NRL Grand Final victory against the New Zealand Warriors. Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters traveled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens RLFC. Ricketson played at lock forward in Sydney's victory.

Ricketson made his debut for Australia in 2003 playing in two tests at lock against New Zealand. In the 2003 NRL grand final he played at lock forward for the Roosters in their loss to the Panthers. After that he was selected to go on the 2003 Kangaroo tour, on which he played all three tests against Great Britain as Australia retained The Ashes winning all three games. Ricketson scored two tries in the last test at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield which also turned out to be Ricketson's last ever test match.

Ricketson retired from rugby league after the 2005 NRL season having played 301 games for the Roosters, the last season as captain. He played in five tests for Australia and four for Ireland as well as 10 games for NSW and 3 for NSW City

One interesting fact about the early part of Ricketson's career is that his debut game of first grade for the Roosters coincided with the final game of two of the great players of the 80s and early 90s, New Zealand International Hugh McGahan, and Manly, Queensland and Kangaroo legend Paul "Fatty" Vautin, who played out his last two seasons of first grade with the Roosters. Easts coach Mark Murray gave Ricketson his debut when he came off the bench against eventual 1991 Premiers the Penrith Panthers at the Sydney Football Stadium. Unfortunately Penrith proved much too strong on the day winning 42-8 with their captain Greg Alexander having a field day scoring two tries and kicking 7/8 goals.

He appeared on the fourth series on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.

He also has the same birthday as fellow retired Rooster Brad Fittler however is one year younger.

References

Like father like son The Sydney Morning Herald

External links

• State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats
• Ireland squad
• Ricketson – helped Ireland reach last eight in 2000
• Luke Ricketson Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.com