Luke Ricketson

The son of former Easts clubman Doug Ricketson was something of an anomaly in the big-spending Roosters club in the late 1990s in that he was one of the few local juniors playing first grade. A talented centre in his early career, Luke Ricketson was shifted into the forwards by coach Phil Gould and was rewarded with selection in the NSW team in 1999. A frequent visitor to State of Origin football, Ricketson played in the Roosters grand final team in 2000 before representing Ireland in the World Cup competition at the end of the year. In 2001 Ricketson became only the second player in the club’s history (behind Kevin Hastings) to play 200 first grade games and during the next three seasons pushed the new club record towards the 300 mark. In 2002 he played a vital role in the Roosters’ grand final success over the Warriors and at the veteran age of 29, made his Test debut against Great Britain as an interchange player in July 3003. Although beaten by the Panthers in the grand final that year, Ricketson appeared in all four Test matches at the end of the season. In the Third Test of the Ashes series Ricketson crossed for two tries – including the match-winner a minute from full-time – as well as making more than 40 tackles in the match. The tireless lock forward had come of age as an international player but chose this moment to announce his retirement from rep football. Beaten by the Bulldogs in another grand final disappointment at the end of 2004 Ricketson was named club captain for 2005. He retired at the end of the season after becoming the first Roosters player to pass 300 first grade games.