Luke Ricketson
Encyclopedia
Luke Ricketson 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-rower, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters
of the NRL. Son of former Easts player, Doug Ricketson
, "Ricko" as he was known, 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.
His family, parents Doug and Edie and sister Kylie moved to Bondi
from Forster as a 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.
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.
Luke Ricketson made his international debut when he played four games for Ireland
at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
.
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.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
of the NRL. Son of former Easts player, Doug Ricketson
Doug Ricketson
Doug Ricketson , was a rugby league footballer in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He played for the Eastern Suburbs and Penrith clubs and is the father of Eastern Suburbs' longest serving player, Luke Ricketson.A centre, Ricketson was a member of the Eastern Suburbs side that was...
, "Ricko" as he was known, 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.
His family, parents Doug and Edie and sister Kylie moved to Bondi
Bondi
Bondi could refer to:-Places in Australia:* Bondi Beach, New South Wales, a beach and suburb in Sydney, Australia* Bondi Junction, New South Wales, a suburb and commercial centre in Sydney, Australia* Bondi, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia...
from Forster as a one year old. He started playing junior rugby league at seven for Bondi United. He was then graded with Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
as a local junior, debuting in first grade in 1991.
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
City vs Country Origin
City vs Country is an annual Australian rugby league football match that takes place in New South Wales between City and Country representative sides. The City side represents the Sydney metropolitan area...
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
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
debut for NSW
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
, 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.
Luke Ricketson made his international debut when he played four games for Ireland
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
.
Ricketson made his debut for Australia in 2003 playing in two tests at lock against New Zealand. In the 2003 NRL grand final
2003 NRL grand final
The 2003 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding match of the 2003 NRL season. In what was a contest of Sydney's east versus west, defending premiers and match favourites, the Sydney Roosters played against minor premiers and underdogs, the Penrith Panthers...
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
2003 Kangaroo Tour
The 2003 Kangaroo Tour was a six-match tour by the Australia national rugby league team of France, Wales and England. The last three matches were all Tests against Great Britain...
, 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
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
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
Hugh McGahan
Hugh Joseph McGahan MBE is a former rugby league footballer and coach who represented New Zealand...
, and Manly
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
, Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
and Kangaroo legend Paul "Fatty" Vautin
Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches...
, who played out his last two seasons of first grade with the Roosters. Easts coach Mark Murray
Mark Murray (rugby league)
Mark Murray is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia in test matches and Queensland in the State of Origin. His position of choice was halfback...
gave Ricketson his debut when he came off the bench against eventual 1991 Premiers the Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
at the Sydney Football Stadium. Unfortunately Penrith proved much too strong on the day winning 42-8 with their captain Greg Alexander
Greg Alexander
Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country...
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
Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a Logie Award-winning, Australian light entertainment reality show airing on the Seven Network and filmed live from the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne...
.
He also has the same birthday as fellow retired Rooster Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
however is one year younger.