Family and friends have gathered to farewell South Sydney legend John Sattler during a funeral on the Gold Coast.
The 80-year-old, who has been lauded as one of the toughest players in rugby league, but also a true gentleman off the field, died on March 20 following a battle with dementia.
The service was held at the Sacred Heart Church at Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast on Friday morning.
Sattler was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2008 and will always be remembered for valiantly playing on for 77 minutes of the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw.
Rabbitohs stars and brothers Sam and George Burgess laid a number 13 jersey on the coffin – worn by lock Cameron Murray at the last game – in a mark of respect to Sattler.
Victorious South Sydney captain John Sattler is chaired off the field by teammates after playing almost the entire 80 minutes of the 1970 rugby league grand final with a broken jaw
George and Sam Burgess lay a Rabbitohs No.13 on the coffin during the funeral for Sattler who also wore the famous number
Sam also wore the famous No.13 in the NRL, leading the Rabbitohs to victory in the 2014 grand final with a broken cheekbone in parallels with Sattler.
‘I think that’s a nice touch,’ Sattler’s son, Scott said.
His first-born grandson Jordan spoke on behalf of his mother – Sattler’s daughter – who was unable to attend the funeral after receiving surgery for a broken arm in Canada.
‘Mum’s not able to be here today, she broke her arm on the day that pop passed,’ he said.
‘The first thing that she remembered [when he died] was Pop saying, get up you’re not hurt.’
‘Dad how do I say goodbye to you? It’s been difficult to put into words,’ he read from a speech she had prepared for the day.
Sattler was buried in a customised Rabbitohs coffin after the funeral at Sacred Heart Church on the Gold Coast
George Burgess comforts Scott Sattler, the son of John Sattler, at his father’s funeral on the Gold Coast
The custom-made Rabbitohs coffin in a varnished green wood and covered in red roses is carried into the front of the church at midday.
Loved ones and mourners sang the opening hymn in the ‘house where John spoke with God very often’.
‘Father Zachary is a crazy, crazy Souths fan and that’s why he wanted to be here for this,’ the leading priest to start the ceremony.
He went on to joke that Sattler would not like them making ‘such a fuss’.
‘John was a legend of the game,’ ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said after his death was announced.
‘The tales of his toughness were quite extraordinary, but they were also at odds with his nature off the field. He was a true gentleman.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a huge South Sydney supporter and paid tribute to Sattler
Souths fanatic, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also paid tribute.
‘John Sattler was a legendary player who was tough on the field but a true gentleman off it.’
‘He was an inspirational leader who, decades after his retirement, took his rightful place at the front of the marches for South Sydney’s reinstatement,’ Mr Albanese said.
Sattler earned the nickname Gentleman John in rugby league circles and is being celebrated for his qualities as a friend and family member along with his footy ability
Rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis arrives at the funeral of John Sattler. He was one of many famous rugby league identities present
Sattler played in six grand finals with South Sydney, winning four as captain, and was honoured as one of Australia’s greatest 100 players in the centenary season in 2008.
He’ll be farewelled at a funeral expected to be attended by several South Sydney
‘If anyone is to epitomise the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, it is John Sattler,’ Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas said.
‘He bled red and green. He would do anything for his teammates. 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 teammates 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 epitomised everything that we want the Rabbitohs to be.’
The Sattler family are joined by Rabbitohs officials and players in a circle to pay tribute to the late John Sattler during the round four NRL match between Souths and Manly Sea Eagles
Souths played tribute to Sattler at last Friday’s match against Manly.
There were emotional scenes after the game with the entire crowd staying behind as Sattler’s rendition of Glory Glory to South Sydney played on the big screen after they scored 13 points to honour his jersey against the team he beat in the 1970 Grand Final with a broken jaw.
The fans had earlier stood as one for a stirring minute’s silence while they rose to give the Souths legend a round of applause after 13 minutes to honour his incredible contribution to the club.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
