NRL information 2023, John Sattler useless aged 80 after battle with dementia

That was one in every of 4 premierships he received together with his beloved Bunnies, having been named captain of the staff in 1967 and that season main the membership to its first title in 12 years.

He additionally captained South Sydney to titles in 1968 and 1971.

He was inducted into the Nationwide Rugby League Corridor of Fame in 2008.

Following the 1967 grand ultimate, Sattler was picked to signify Australia and toured with the Kangaroos to Nice Britain and France.

He started his profession at lock and later transitioned to the entrance row, and to at the present time is considered one of many hardest gamers to ever play the sport.

This was by no means extra evident than the 1970 premiership decider, when he broke his jaw within the first 5 minutes however performed the remainder of the sport and led the Rabbitohs to a 23-12 victory over Manly.

The harm sadly robbed Sattler of the possibility to signify Australia on the World Cup that yr.

Sattler’s son, Scott, performed 203 first grade video games and famously pulled off a grand ultimate successful deal with for Penrith in 2003.

A press release from South Sydney described Sattler as “one of many best leaders the membership has ever had”.

“If anybody is to epitomize the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs it’s John Sattler,” membership chairman Nicholas Pappas stated.

“He bled pink and inexperienced. He would do something for his teammates. He by no means took a backwards step. He all the time  led from the entrance.

“He was cherished by everybody linked with the Rabbitohs, whether or not it’s one in every of his former teammates who he led to premiership glory, or the person on the street who cherished South Sydney simply as a lot as he did.

“He was robust and courageous however honest, uncompromising on the sector and empathetic off it, and he actually epitomized every part that we would like the Rabbitohs to be.”

The Rabbitohs plan to honour Sattler throughout Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Sea Eagles.

Australian Rugby League Fee chairman Peter V’landys additionally paid tribute.

“John was a legend of the sport,” V’landys stated.

“The tales of his toughness have been fairly extraordinary, however they have been additionally at odds together with his nature off the sector. He was a real gentleman.”

NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett paid tribute to Sattler when talking on Triple M’s Rush Hour.

“He performed in that period the place I believe the sport began to alter, to present us the sport that we have got right now,” Bennett stated.

“His toughness is actually well-known, he is famend for it. The place he performed, in that entrance row you needed to be actually robust.

“It was a unique recreation then, and John epitomized the sport on the time.

“John all the time held his personal and caught up for his teammates, and I am certain they are going to be pondering of him right now very fondly.”

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