The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of Club and Rugby League legend, John Sattler, who passed away today aged 80.
For those wishing to join the live stream of John Sattler's funeral click here.
Mr Sattler is written into South Sydney folklore as one of the greatest leaders the Club has ever had, playing in six Grand Finals, captaining the team in five of them, and leading the Club to four premiership-winning first grade titles in 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971.
He famously played 77 minutes of the 1970 Grand Final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles with a broken jaw, leading the team to the Club’s 19th of 21 Premiership titles.
Rabbitohs first grade player number 515, Mr Sattler played 195 first grade games for South Sydney between 1963 and 1972, scoring 12 tries for 36 points. He only ever played first grade for the Club.
He played four games for New South Wales in 1969 and three games for Queensland in 1973 in the interstate series, as well as playing four Test matches for Australia between 1967 and 1971. He captained his country in one Test match against Great Britain in 1970.
Rabbitohs Chairman, Nicholas Pappas AM, paid tribute to one of the greatest players the Club has seen, as well as one of the Club’s greatest gentlemen.
“If anyone is to epitomize the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs it is John Sattler,” Mr Pappas said.
Nicholas PappasHe bled red and green. He would do anything for his team mates. He never took a backwards step. He always led from the front.
“He was loved by everyone connected with the Rabbitohs, whether it be one of his former team mates who he led to Premiership glory, or the man in the street who loved South Sydney just as much as he did.
“He was tough and brave but fair, uncompromising on the field and empathetic off it, and he truly epitomized everything that we want the Rabbitohs to be.
“His favourite saying was ‘I play to win – everyone knows that.’ There is nothing more ‘South Sydney Rabbitohs’ than that.
“He always held the Rabbitohs dear to his heart and everyone here at the Rabbitohs always held ‘Satts’ dear to ours.
“Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to his son Scott and the entire Sattler family, his former team mates, and all of his friends that he has touched over the years.
“Rest in peace, ‘Satts’.”
The Rabbitohs will pay tribute to Mr Sattler at this Saturday’s game against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium.
For those wishing to join the live stream of John Sattler's funeral click here.
The details for John Sattler's funeral are as follows:
Friday 31 March - 11 am(QLD) 12pm (NSW)
Sacred Heart Church
Clear Island Waters
Gold Coast, QLD
