The South Sydney Rabbitohs will host a public memorial to celebrate the life of Club legend, the late John Sattler, following his passing last month.
The public memorial will be held at the spiritual home of the Rabbitohs, Redfern Oval, on Friday 21 April, commencing at 10:30am.
Mr Sattler was laid to rest on Friday 31 March on the Gold Coast, with this public memorial offering South Sydney Members and supporters who were unable to attend the funeral the opportunity to farewell one of the largest figures in the Club’s history.
The Sattler family will be joined by the Rabbitohs playing squad, coaching staff, administration, VIPs, Members and supporters to celebrate the life of one of the greatest leaders the game has ever seen.
The Rabbitohs paid tribute to Mr Sattler in round four with their one-point victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, as well as sending a contingent of representatives to the funeral in Queensland.
People wanting to farewell Mr Sattler at this public memorial will need to pre-register their attendance here. Rabbitohs Members and supporters will receive more information via email and on the Club’s digital channels on how to pre-register.
Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, said New South Wales-based Rabbitohs Members and supporters, and Rugby League fans in general, will now have the chance to say their farewells.
“It was a very moving experience at Accor Stadium when we beat Manly in round four, and it was equally so at John’s funeral on the Gold Coast,” Mr Solly said.
“In conjunction with John’s wife Barbara and his son Scott, we’ve worked hard to put on a great public memorial service so that everyone that has been touched by John’s efforts on the field, or his gentle nature off the field, over the years can celebrate his life at a venue that meant so much to him, Redfern Oval.
“We will pay tribute to him once again at a ground where he had so much success over the years in the red and green, and the family will spread some of John’s ashes on the turf at Redfern Oval, as was his wish before his passing.
“It will be another emotional day but it’s important that we give everyone the chance to celebrate the great man that was John Sattler.”
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.
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 against Great Britain in 1970.
Event Details
Redfern Oval
Friday 21 April, commencing at 10.30am. Please aim to arrive at 10am, prior to the memorial commencement.
