South Sydney rugby league legend John Sattler dies at the age of 80

One of the toughest men to ever play in the NRL has sadly passed away after recent health battles, leaving fans heart broken.

South Sydney's Sam Burgess with John Sattler during the 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

John Sattler, one of the toughest players ever to grace the NRL, has passed away at the age of 80.

Sattler famously led the South Sydney Rabbitohs to premiership glory in 1970, playing the majority of the contest with a broken jaw.

His rugby league career consisted of 197 games for the Souths between 1963 and 1972 which also included four games for Australia.

He captained the team to four premiership victories between 1967 and 1971.

Sadly the tough as nails player had been battling dementia as his health deteriorated over recent years.

News of his passing left the rugby league community in mourning over the loss of a true champion of the game.

NRL heavyweight Phil Gould wrote: “Very sad. An ornament to the game. Fierce competitor on the field. Tough as they come. Off the field, he was a kind and thoughtful man. Always impeccably dressed. Pride in his appearance and presentation. Always supportive of others. Great role model. RIP John Sattler.”

Former NRL player Darryl Brohman wrote: “Absolutely devstated with the news of John Sattler’s passing. He was one of league’s genuine tough guys but a lovely person off the field. Just a legend. Lucky enough to play with him for @NorthsDevilsRL RIP mate. Love to Barbara Scott and Family.”

John Sattler was a legendary player who was tough on the field but a true gentleman off it.

He was an inspirational leader who, decades after his retirement, took his rightful place at the front of the marches for South Sydney’s reinstatement. pic.twitter.com/tnCBJykE6x

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 20, 2023

Rugby league has lost one of its greatest men. #RIP to the legendary John Sattler. My heart goes out to my dear friend @ScottSattler13 and his family. The games heart is aching today. #NRL@NRLonNine@SSFCRABBITOHS

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) March 20, 2023

A true legend of the game. A true legend of our ground.

Rest in Peace, John Sattler. pic.twitter.com/t1L3nJCfIP

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) March 20, 2023

South Sydney Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas released a statement on Monday paying tribute to Sattler’s legacy.

“If anyone is to epitomize the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs it is John Sattler,” the statement read.

“He was tough and brave but fair, uncompromising on the field and empathetic off it, and he truly epitomised everything that we want the Rabbitohs to be.

“Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to his son Scott and the entire Sattler family, his former team mates, and all of his friends that he has touched over the years.

“Rest in peace, ‘Satts’.”

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman Peter V’landys also paid tribute to Sattler on Monday.

“John was a legend of the game,” Mr V’landys said.

“The tales of his toughness were quite extraordinary, but they were also at odds with his nature off the field. He was a true gentleman.

“On behalf of the Commission, I extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.”

John Sattler and his son Scott.

His son Scott revealed his father’s health battles, stating he had suffered a stroke years before being diagnosed with dementia.

“I’ve never seen my father beaten in anything in life, but I watch him and hear him deteriorating every week, every month, dementia just beats him, it just breaks him,” Scott said at the time to the Herald Sun.

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.

Sattler reportedly had to push his jaw back into place after the game.

John Sattler, South Sydney legend, reminiscing. Picture: Jerad Williams

“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.”