The NSWRL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Sattler, aged 80.
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain, affectionately known as ‘Satts’, was regarded as one of the toughest forwards to play the game and went down in Rugby League folklore after playing on with a broken jaw to lead the club to a premiership victory in 1970.
Born in Telarah in Maitland in 1942, Sattler moved with his family to Kurri Kurri when he was 12. He started playing for the region when he was 16 years-old, which earned him representative honours for Newcastle against Great Britain in 1962.
After moving to Souths in 1963, he quickly earned a reputation as a hardman and played in the club’s losing Grand Final to St George Dragons in 1965.
The club’s fortunes changed when he was appointed captain in 1967 and the Rabbitohs went on to win four of five Grand Finals under him (1967-68, 1970-71).
He played four games for NSW against Queensland in 1969, where he captained the team to a 4-0 clean sweep against Queensland, and also played four Tests for Australia from 1967-71.
His effort to play on with a broken jaw in the 1970 premiership win over Manly is regarded as one of the most courageous acts on a Rugby League field.
Sattler kept the injury hidden from most of his teammates until half-time, refused treatment, insisted to keep playing, and only went to hospital after receiving the JJ Giltinan Shield and making an acceptance speech.
After playing 197 games for Souths, he retired from professional Rugby League in 1973.
He was later named as captain for Kurri Rugby League club’s Team of the Century, was also included in the list of Australia’s 100 Greatest Players as well as being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Sattler’s son, Scott Sattler, went on to play over 200 professional Rugby League games including a premiership win with the Penrith Panthers in 2003.
The NSWRL passes on its sincere condolences to Sattler’s family and many friends.
(Portrait photo courtesy Fox Sports; team photo courtesy The Sydney Morning Herald)
