John Sattler funeral: South Sydney legend laid to rest on Gold Coast
John Sattler has been farewelled in a star-studded Gold Coast funeral service, with Sam and George Burgess giving the Rabbitohs legend one final gift.
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He is regarded as the toughest man to ever walk onto a football field.
Others prefer to remember him as Gentleman John.
Either way, the plaudits were as plentiful as the tears that flowed as some of rugby league’s biggest names gathered on the Gold Coast on Friday to say goodbye to South Sydney legend John Sattler.
The Rabbitohs icon passed away on March 20 aged 80 after a battle with dementia and the 500-strong well wishers that packed into Sacred Heart Church at Clear Island Waters was evidence of the indelible mark Sattler left behind.
Rugby league identities including Wally ‘The King’ Lewis, former ARL boss Ken Arthurson, Gary Belcher, John and Martin Lang and recent Rabbitohs stars Sam and George Burgess were among those to pay homage to Sattler.
“God already has Arthur Beetson, ‘Sticks’ (Norm) Provan, ‘Lurch’ (John) O’Neill, ‘Ned’ (Noel) Kelly and ‘Chook’ (Johnny) Raper,” Sattler’s son Scott told the service.
“He was looking for another forward for his pack.
“He just got another good one.”
An NRL Hall of Famer, there was no man more menacing or inspirational than John William Sattler.
Sattler was at the vanguard of the South Sydney juggernaut of the 1960s and early ‘70s that finally dismantled St George’s ruthless 10-year domination of rugby league.
The Kurri Kurri product played 195 first-grade games for the Rabbitohs, four Tests for Australia and captained South Sydney to four premierships from five grand finals during a golden reign between 1967-71.
The most emphatic snapshot of his career was the memory of Sattler playing 77 minutes of the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw to inspire a 23-12 defeat of Manly.
“You don’t captain Australia by just being a thug ... oh, sorry, I can’t use that word in here,” said his best mate, fellow Souths great Bob McCarthy as he looked at the parish priest, triggering bursts of laughter.
“He was a great leader in all respects. His legacy will always live on.”
The 70-minute service rammed home Sattler’s adoration for South Sydney — and the Rabbitohs’ central role in his identity.
His coffin was festooned with the famous red-and-green of South Sydney and was carried by son Scott, his three grandsons and Rabbitohs luminaries McCarthy and Ron Coote.
The present honoured the past when Sam and George Burgess placed the Souths No.13 jumper worn by current skipper Cameron Murray in last week’s win over Manly on Sattler’s coffin.
It was the number Sattler wore for much of his decorated career.
“John was the toughest rugby league player I ever saw, but off the field he was a magic person. He always found time for somebody else,” Coote said.
“It’s hard to believe ‘Satts’ is no longer with us.
“The last six or seven years he wasn’t well with dementia and it had to happen sooner or later I guess, but I have pictures of him at home.
“He will always be in my heart and the hearts of South Sydney people.”
A photo montage of Sattler’s greatest footballing and family memories were beamed to the audience.
A passionate singer, an audio clip of Sattler singing the Rabbitohs team song for the last time — recorded by his son Scott two years ago before the 2021 grand final — was played as his coffin was carried away.
“He was not only one of the best footballers of his time, but I had great admiration for him because he was a true gentleman,” Arthurson said.
“He had some great battles with my beloved Manly Sea Eagles and I will never forget him playing with a broken jaw in the 1970 grand final.
“Not many players could have done that.
“Rugby league has lost one of its finest.”
A man so fine, Gentleman John would honour female patrons by giving them weekly flowers on Fridays at the pubs he ran in retirement.
“John had great empathy,” Scott Sattler said.
“He could protect his players on the field and 30 minutes later, he would be helping an old lady across Chalmers Street to Souths Leagues Club.
“He always said your handshake represents your personality.
“As a pub owner, he remembered names, what you drank and details about your life. He would have flowers on Friday for ladies in the public bar. He was always immaculately dressed.
“He would terrorise me about making sure my football socks were up.
“He would say, ‘If you are going to play like s***, at least look like an athlete’.
“We will miss his beaming smile, we will miss his beautiful manners and singing voice. I will miss the sparring sessions I had in the hallway at home. I will miss seeing his name come up on my phone, answering it, and Dad saying, ‘How are you Scotchy?’
“Rest in peace Dad. We will all miss him.”
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Originally published as John Sattler funeral: South Sydney legend laid to rest on Gold Coast
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