South Sydney legend John Sattler says Sam Burgess is one of the finest players to grace the club
THE likes of former Test star John Sattler have long been regarded as the Rabbitohs’ finest-ever forwards. But the Souths legend says there is one current player who could now make the cut.
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LEGENDARY South Sydney forward John Sattler has paid Sam Burgess the ultimate compliment by declaring he’d earn a jersey alongside the greatest to ever play for the club.
Sattler was also emphatic in declaring that the Rabbitohs can win the 2018 premiership and that the English international is in better form than when Souths won their historic title four years ago.
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“He’s (Burgess) going a bit better than (2014),’’ Sattler told The Sunday Telegraph.
“And what I mean by that is, he’s taking more responsibility with what he does on the field.
“Not that he didn’t before, but I think he’s more value to a team than what he was before.’’
The likes of former Test stars Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote, John O’Neill, Jack Rayner and Sattler have long been regarded as the Rabbitohs finest-ever forwards.
To so many league fans, they’re considered untouchable.
But Burgess — who is averaging 124 metres and 25 tackles this season — wouldn’t be out of place in Sattler’s greatest ever team.
“With respect to Sam, Bob McCarthy and Ronnie Coote, they were super players — they don’t make them like that anymore,’’ Sattler said.
“But I’ll say this, if Sam was playing with us, in our side he would’ve fitted in the team nicely.’’
Remarkably, the Rabbitohs’ surge to third on the premiership ladder has seen the TAB install Souths as $5.50 premiership favourites — the first time since round eight, 2015.
Watching the Rabbitohs’ ugly win over the Gold Coast first-hand, Sattler said the continual development of Souths was enough for him to believe they could win the premiership.
“They’re going along beautifully — I reckon they can go all the way,’’ Sattler said.
“I believe that — they’re playing well and showing great toughness and great skill.
“They’re a team, including the coach.’’
Sattler played 197 games for Souths and famously played in the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw.
The 75-year-old said he “jumped out of his skin” when asked to present Burgess with his jersey ahead of his 150th NRL match against the Gold Coast on Friday night.
“I said yes straight away,’’ Sattler said.
“What I like about Sam is, he’s come out here and his family have just fitted right in. He’s a real good bloke and a really good footballer.
“I told the players how they were lucky to have him as a teammate.’’
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