1955 – The Legend Of #13 Begins
Sam Burgess & John Sattler
2014 – Sam Burgess suffers a broken cheekbone in the first tackle of the Grand Final. He stays on the field to to help South Sydney to premiership glory. 1970 – The late John Sattler has his jaw broken early in the Grand Final. He stays on the field to lead South Sydney to premiership glory. Both these players wore the #13 jersey.
Numbering On Jerseys
Over the years the numbering system on jerseys has changed. Sam wore #13 and was a lock. ‘Satts’ wore the #13 and was a front rower. In 1955 the fullback wore the #13. And wearing the #13 in 1955 was the greatest of them all, Clive Churchill.
Season 1955
South Sydney had a wonderful set of seasons leading up to 1955. They had won four premierships out five years. Season 1955, however, did not start as well. Injuries cruelled their efforts to win matches in the first half of the year. After losing to Newtown in the first game of the second round, Souths found themselves in second last place. A special effort was necessary to make the semis.
Climbing The Ladder
Souths proceeded to climb the ladder with a series of wins. Norths and Easts , however, were breathing down their necks and any loss, or even a draw, was terminal. With two rounds to go Souths were drawn to play Manly at Redfern. Manly were a good side that year and in fact made the semi-finals.
13th August 1955
On the 13th August 1955, Manly and Souths ran onto the field at Redfern Oval before 15,000 people, including Clive Churchill in the #13 jumper. Six minutes in, disaster stuck. Churchill broke his arm in a tackle. His left shoulder was drooping and his arm hung limply to his side. He had no thought of coming off as replacements were not allowed in those days.
At half time the score was 4-2 Souths. The doctor make a splint with some cardboard and wound a tight bandage around his arm. He implored Churchill to come off but had no luck with that.
A dropped ball was scooped up by Johnny Hobbs of Manly after 24 minutes of the second half and he scored. Manly now 7-4.
Things were getting desperate. With two minutes to go Churchill sped off with the ball in his good arm. He evaded three tackles and passed to Cowie. Now everybody, including the Manly players, expected Cowie to do a reverse pass to Moir as he had done on many occasions. Cowie, however, kept the ball and scored inches from the corner post.
The Most Famous Kick
At this moment Jack Rayner called Churchill over and tossed him the ball. ‘Come on Tigger, it’s your day. Take the kick at goal’.
The crowd sat in silence. The ball twisted and turned in flight like a thing alive. It curled in and went over the crossbar. It has to be the most famous kick in Souths’ history. Souths 9-7. The crowd went wild. Percy Horne, in the dressing sheds, said to Churchill, “Good on you, little Mr. Guts’.
SOUTH SYDNEY 7 (Cowie try, Churchill 2, Puren goals) bt MANLY WARRINGAH 7 (Hobbs try, Kellock 2 goals).
Premiership
Churchill did not play again that year. Somebody else wore the #13 jumper in the Grand Final win over Newtown. South Sydney now had 16 premierships.
The #13 jumper has been involved in some of the most famous moments in South Sydney history. Maybe Cameron Murray, who is the current custodian of the #13 jumper, will play with a broken leg in Souths Grand Final win this year!
1955 – The Legend Of #13 Begins.
By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.
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