Beattie along with Noel Kelly and Gary Parcell, helped Ipswich dominate the Bulimba Cup and all three were selected for the Australian national side's front row.
[5] In 1959 he played in the Queensland victory over New South Wales that attracted 35,261 spectators, smashing Brisbane's previous record for an interstate match of 22,817.
In the third Test at Sydney in July 1962 he dislocated his shoulder and played on knowing there were no substitutes allowed.
When he eventually needed to leave the field, Beattie provoked Derek Turner into a fight, referee Darcy Lawler sent both men off and the opposing numbers remained even.
Beattie later worked as a selector during the 1980s for the Australian national team[8] and for the Ipswich Jets on the coaching and administration staff.