Beckwith won the 1949 Federal Football League's Under 18 best and fairest award with Black Rock.

[4] Beckwith made his debut in round one against Essendon at Windy Hill.

Essendon had been premiers the previous year and as such it was the unfurling of the 1950 premiership flag.

The players had to line up, and General Sir Dallas Brooks, the Governor of Victoria, came past.

Beckwith was only 19 years of age, and meeting the governor as well as playing his first game of VFL football was a nerve-wracking experience, although he did end up kicking a goal.