Sam and George Burgess honour South Sydney legend John Sattler’s at Rabbitohs icon’s funeral
Family and friends have gathered to bid farewell to South Sydney legend John Sattler during a funeral on the Gold Coast.
The 80-year-old, who has been hailed as one of rugby league’s toughest players but also a true gentleman off the pitch, died on March 20 after a battle with dementia.
The service was held at Sacred Heart Church in 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 through 77 minutes of the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw.
Rabbitohs stars and brothers Sam and George Burgess placed a number 13 jersey on the coffin, worn by lock Cameron Murray in the last game, as a mark of respect to Sattler.
Victorious South Sydney captain John Sattler is chaired off the pitch by his teammates after playing nearly the full 80 minutes of the 1970 rugby league grand final with a broken jaw.
George and Sam Burgess placed a Rabbitohs No.13 in the coffin during Sattler’s funeral, who also wore the famous number.
Sam also famously wore the number 13 in the NRL, leading the Rabbitohs to victory in the 2014 grand final with a parallel broken cheekbone to Sattler.
“I think it’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 undergoing surgery for a broken arm in Canada.
“Mom can’t be here today, she broke her arm the day Daddy came by,” he said.
‘The first thing she remembered [when he died] said dad, get up, you’re not hurt.
‘Dad, how do I say goodbye to you? It’s been hard to put into words,â she read in a speech she had prepared for the day.
Sattler was buried in a custom 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 Rabbitohs coffin made to measure in varnished green wood and covered in red roses is brought to the front of the church at noon.
Loved ones and mourners sang the opening hymn at the ‘house where John often spoke to God.’
“Father Zachary is a crazy, crazy Souths fan and that’s why he wanted to be here for this,” the head priest said to begin the ceremony.
He went on to joke that Sattler wouldn’t like them to make ‘such a fuss’.
“John was a legend of the game,” ARLC president Peter V’landys said after his death was announced.
‘The stories of his toughness were quite extraordinary, but they were also at odds with his nature off the pitch. He was a true gentleman.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a big supporter of South Sydney and paid tribute to Sattler.
South’s fan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also paid tribute.
“John Sattler was a legendary player, tough on the pitch but a true gentleman off it.”
“He was an inspirational leader who, decades after his retirement, took his rightful place at the forefront of the South Sydney restitution marches,” 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 football prowess.
Rugby League Immortal Wally Lewis arrives at John Sattler’s funeral. He was one of the many famous rugby league identities present.
Sattler played in six Grand Finals for South Sydney, winning four as captain, and was honored as one of Australia’s top 100 players in the centenary season in 2008.
He will be seen off at a funeral expected to be attended by a number of people from south Sydney.
“If anyone should embody the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, it’s John Sattler,” Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas said.
‘He bled red and green. He would do anything for his companions. He never backed down. He always led from the front.
âHe was loved by everyone associated with the Rabbitohs, whether it was one of his former teammates whom he led to premiership glory, or the man in the street who loved South Sydney as much as he did.
“He was tough and brave but fair, uncompromising on the field and empathetic off it, and he truly embodied everything we want the Rabbitohs to be.”
The Sattler family join Rabbitohs officials and players in a circle to pay tribute to the late John Sattler during the NRL fourth round match between Souths and Manly Sea Eagles.
Souths paid tribute to Sattler in last Friday’s game against Manly.
There were emotional scenes after the game with the entire crowd hanging back as Sattler’s rendition of Glory Glory to South Sydney played on the big screen after they scored 13 points to honor his jersey against the team he beat in the Grand Final of 1970 with a broken jaw. .
Earlier, fans joined in a moving minute of silence as they rose to give the Souths legend a round of applause after 13 minutes to honor his incredible contribution to the club.