Veteran Souths forward John Sutton says he’d be washed up if it wasn’t for his mother
SOUTH Sydney veteran John Sutton may be approaching 300 NRL games but he says he would have never had made it this far if it wasn’t for his mother Elena.
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JOHN Sutton is approaching 300 NRL games, but he says he would be washed up if it wasn’t for his mother Elena.
Sutton recalls his early years at the Rabbitohs when he’d regularly sleep in and miss training.
He was heading down a precarious path, until his mother told him in no uncertain terms he was wasting his promising potential.
This is a watershed moment Sutton credits for helping him become the premiership-winning player we see today.
It’s why he is determined to defeat the high-flying Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Sunday and honour his mum in style with a win on Mother’s Day.
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“Mum used to come into my room and say, ‘what are you doing sleeping and you should be at training,” Sutton told The Sunday Telegraph.
“Even after the games, she has always been my biggest critic and tells me what I need to do right next time.
“Mum has pretty much done everything for me.
“I lived at home until I was 25-26, so she has been great for me and always comes to my games.
“It will be good to get a win and a try on Mother’s Day for her.”
Sutton, 33, may be in his 15th NRL season but he is seriously considering running around again next year.
“If you asked me if I’m going to run around again, I’m feeling good at the moment,” he said.
“But I’m happy to go week-to-week for now and I’m not really thinking too far ahead.”
Despite feeling like his ageing legs still have more to offer, Sutton has started thinking about his post-football career.
He spent time with Souths development coach Willie Peters earlier this year working with the club’s Harold Matthews and SG Ball ranks.
“I’d like to do something in league, maybe something along the lines of an assistant coach,” he said.
“I like working with kids and giving back.”
In the meantime, Sutton is focused on helping the rejuvenated Rabbitohs maintain their hot form.
He is also looking forward to playing in the NRL’s annual indigenous round.
Sutton likes the initiative of the Australian national anthem being sung in native Aboriginal tongue before English and would like to see it become a permanent procedure across the country.
“I think that (the anthem in Aboriginal language) was great,” he said.
“It’s a good round because it gives the game a chance to recognise our indigenous players.”