‘Eerie’ minute of silence ‘true legend’ John Sattler given fitting farewell

The rugby league community paid tribute to legend John Sattler after his death but scenes before Souths Vs Manly showed his true esteem in the game.

Rest in peace John Sattler. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

Rugby league legend John Sattler has been farewelled perfectly by Souths fans following his death at the age of 80 earlier in the week.

One of the toughest players to have ever graced a rugby league field, Sattler captained South Sydney to four premierships between 1967 and 1971.

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But his true piece de resistance was the 1970 grand final where he played most of the match with a broken jaw.

It’s an act which has gone down in rugby league folklore.

Sattler’s career covered 197 games between 1963 and 1972 and included games for both NSW and Queensland before the State of Origin era and four games for Australia.

Sadly, Sattler battled dementia in the latter years of his life and the game mourned his loss after he finally lost the fight earlier in the week.

In Souths’ first match since the legend’s passing, ironically against Manly, who Sattler’s Rabbitohs had defeated in the 1970 decider, the rugby league world was finally able to give Sattler a deserved send off.

Rest in peace legend. Photo: Fox Sports

Scott Sattler held it together. Photo: Fox Sports

You could hear a pin drop during the minute of silence before play in the wonderful scenes as there was not even a hint of disrespect from the crowd.

An emotional Scott Sattler, John’s son and fellow premiership winner and Queensland representative, paid respect to the Souths players, shaking hands and sharing hugs with the players before leaving the field.

“Beautifully observed, true legend of rugby league, John Sattler,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“We have minutes of silences so often, but boy, that was something very very special. Almost eerie.”

Greg Alexander agreed: “What a legend of the game John Sattler is. I met him on numerous occasions, I got to play with Scott Sattler and John was the happiest and most respectful gentleman you could meet.

“For someone who didn’t get to see him play live, I found it hard to equate the man off the field to the toughness on the field. A true legend.”

That was a minute's silence truly befitting John Sattler. Not an ounce of noise at all at Accor Stadium. #NRLSouthsManly

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) March 25, 2023

Lovely tribute and minute’s silence for the great John Sattler before the @SSFCRABBITOHS v Manly. One of the game’s all-time greats. Perfect silence. Respect. #nrl#nrlsouthsmanly

— Robert Grasso (@RobertGrasso) March 25, 2023

At halftime of the Cowboys and Titans mate, Souths coach Jason Demetriou revealed the side would wear a half-rabbit logo on its jersey, which Sattler made famous after his 1970 grand final logo was torn.

It was the same match in which Sattler played with a broken jaw he sustained in the opening minutes.

Demetriou also confirmed the players would form a guard of honour with Sattler’s family and that there would be a minute’s applause at the 13-minute mark.

The Burrow honours John Sattler in the the 13th Minute.

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— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 25, 2023

The 13th minute mark was special. Photo: Fox Sports

The Souths coach said it was important to “remember the great man”.

“It’s important that the current players understand the history of the club and pre-Christmas we did a Redfern to Heffron tour from our old facility to our new facility and a lot of that was about the past, and the players that have gone before us, and how important that jersey is and how we want to create our own legacy,” he said.

In an interview less than two years ago, Sattler spoke about the infamous moment his jaw was broken in three places in the opening 10 minutes of the Grand Final.

The NRL hardman was furious with Manly Sea Eagles player John Bucknall who delivered the hit that broke his jaw.

“People said it was broken but it was actually smashed in three places. The breaks were so clean they went straight through my gum but I didn’t lose any teeth. He gave me a fair whacking,” Sattler said to The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie.

“I was angry that he was such a weak bastard, from when he did it until the end of the game. He ended up going off the field in that grand final. I remember Freddie Jones going off at him when Bucknall left the field.”