Rupert Betheras
Encyclopedia
Rupert James Betheras is an Australian rules football
er formerly playing in the Australian Football League
.
for the 1996 season whilst on a surfing holiday at the Margaret River
in Western Australia
. In 1997 he was recruited to the Fremantle Dockers
rookie list, before moving back to Melbourne and earned a spot on the Collingwood Magpies
rookie list
. He was then drafted late in the 1998 AFL Draft
at no. 76 by Collingwood, and in 1999 made his debut at Victoria Park
against the West Coast Eagles
.
A brave utility who poured his heart and soul into the Collingwood Football Club, Rupert Betheras was a crowd favourite amongst the Collingwood faithful between 1999–2004, the latter season marking his delisting from the squad, something which continues to irk Collingwood fans around the globe.
Affectionately known by all Magpie fans as 'Rupe', he began his AFL
career at the mature age of 23, after spending 1998 on the club's now abolished supplementary list. He began the season fortunate to make the squad, but ended it as captain and the Best and Fairest winner in the reserves, prompting the club to use the 75th selection of the 1998 National Draft on the ex-surfer.
Betheras made an immediate impact in his first season (1999), making his debut against the West Coast Eagles in the second last game played at Victoria Park in round three. He impressed initially, before he was demoted back to the reserves. It was here that Betheras showed his mettle, rebounding to regain selection in the round ten loss to Sydney at the SCG, famous for being the afternoon on which Swans spearhead Tony Lockett booted the 1300th goal of his career, breaking former Magpie Gordon Coventry's record of 1299. Although the majority of his teammates were swamped by the home team's onslaught, Betheras was unperturbed, hitting the Swans with everything, tackling with vigour and displaying his future trademark endeavor.
Despite his lack of size, Betheras proved himself an excellent mark and more than useful by hand or by foot, and was Nathan Buckley
's right hand man for much of the season underneath the packs. Betheras' rise earned him plaudits from all, including the Harry Collier Trophy as best first year player, as well as finishing 9th in the Copeland Trophy.
Rupe backed up his debut efforts the following year in playing all 22 matches and was elevated with Licuria to a deputy vice captain of the team. He was played by new coach Mick Malthouse through the midfield and out of halfback, often wracking up large possession numbers.
Season 2001 saw Betheras swap numbers, from his no. 49 to a more senior looking no.10, previously donned by Paul Williams, who had been traded to Sydney the previous summer. In his third season, Betheras lacked the opportunities at senior level, playing off halfback and through the midfield when in the senior side. He showcased his capacity as a small forward with two goals in the Anzac Day loss to Essendon in round five, whilst starring across halfback in the thumping annihilation of the Eagles in round 12, having a huge impact when coming off the bench.
As a young man Betheras was interested in art
and during 2001 and 2002 he planned for his career post-football and turned to being an artist
. In season 2007, he was reportedly playing football with Rumbalara on the Murray River.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er formerly playing in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early career
Betheras played football for De La Salle in the VAFA before being given the opportunity to play with East PerthEast Perth Football Club
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League...
for the 1996 season whilst on a surfing holiday at the Margaret River
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, south of Perth, the state capital. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River....
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. In 1997 he was recruited to the Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
rookie list, before moving back to Melbourne and earned a spot on the Collingwood Magpies
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
rookie list
Rookie list
The Rookie List is a means for Australian Football League clubs to maintain additional players outside of the 38-man primary or senior list. Rookie listed players are not eligibile to play in AFL home and away or finals matches unless they are elevated to the senior list, either to replace a...
. He was then drafted late in the 1998 AFL Draft
1998 AFL Draft
The 1998 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1998 there...
at no. 76 by Collingwood, and in 1999 made his debut at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
against the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
.
A brave utility who poured his heart and soul into the Collingwood Football Club, Rupert Betheras was a crowd favourite amongst the Collingwood faithful between 1999–2004, the latter season marking his delisting from the squad, something which continues to irk Collingwood fans around the globe.
Affectionately known by all Magpie fans as 'Rupe', he began his AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
career at the mature age of 23, after spending 1998 on the club's now abolished supplementary list. He began the season fortunate to make the squad, but ended it as captain and the Best and Fairest winner in the reserves, prompting the club to use the 75th selection of the 1998 National Draft on the ex-surfer.
Betheras made an immediate impact in his first season (1999), making his debut against the West Coast Eagles in the second last game played at Victoria Park in round three. He impressed initially, before he was demoted back to the reserves. It was here that Betheras showed his mettle, rebounding to regain selection in the round ten loss to Sydney at the SCG, famous for being the afternoon on which Swans spearhead Tony Lockett booted the 1300th goal of his career, breaking former Magpie Gordon Coventry's record of 1299. Although the majority of his teammates were swamped by the home team's onslaught, Betheras was unperturbed, hitting the Swans with everything, tackling with vigour and displaying his future trademark endeavor.
Despite his lack of size, Betheras proved himself an excellent mark and more than useful by hand or by foot, and was Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
's right hand man for much of the season underneath the packs. Betheras' rise earned him plaudits from all, including the Harry Collier Trophy as best first year player, as well as finishing 9th in the Copeland Trophy.
Rupe backed up his debut efforts the following year in playing all 22 matches and was elevated with Licuria to a deputy vice captain of the team. He was played by new coach Mick Malthouse through the midfield and out of halfback, often wracking up large possession numbers.
Season 2001 saw Betheras swap numbers, from his no. 49 to a more senior looking no.10, previously donned by Paul Williams, who had been traded to Sydney the previous summer. In his third season, Betheras lacked the opportunities at senior level, playing off halfback and through the midfield when in the senior side. He showcased his capacity as a small forward with two goals in the Anzac Day loss to Essendon in round five, whilst starring across halfback in the thumping annihilation of the Eagles in round 12, having a huge impact when coming off the bench.
Season 2002, the Breakthrough
2002 saw Collingwood reach the finals for the first time since 1994, and the Grand Final for the first time since 1990, and not surprisingly, Betheras played a huge role in the revival. His vigour and work ethic from half forward altered the course of many matches, including his three goals against the Lions in round eight at Colonial Stadium to turn the match on its head. He also set the Pies alight with two quickfire goals in the first Qualifying Final against Port Adelaide, before rocking the MCG to its foundations with a magnificent goal from the boundary line the two weeks later against Adelaide in the Preliminary Final.Season 2003
In 2003 he had a disappointing season, leaving him in and out of the side early on, but by mid-year was again on track and was part of the clubs improved later season form playing in 10 straight winning games before being dropped for some younger players in round 19. He was delisted at the end of the season and the Collingwood fans are still unhappy with his delisting, as he was a fan favourite.Post-AFL Career
After his AFL career he moved to the Northern Territory to play for NTFL club St Mary's. He also played for South Cairns in the Cairns league.As a young man Betheras was interested in art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and during 2001 and 2002 he planned for his career post-football and turned to being an artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
. In season 2007, he was reportedly playing football with Rumbalara on the Murray River.
External links
- The Age – A brush with Betheras
- From stadium to studio, artist Rupert Betheras Arts Hub Australia, 22 August 2007 – Feature Profile