John Sattler Tales
John William Sattler was born in 1942 at Telarah (a suburb in Maitland NSW), moving to Kurri Kurri with his family when he was 12 years old. He became one of the greatest players and captains in Souths’ history. So much is known of his career, in particular the courage needed to play on with a broken jaw during the Grand Final of 1970.
In fact John himself wrote a book of his life story. There is no way I could do justice to the whole ‘Satts’ story so I would like to share some of my favourite tales of the great man.
1971 Grand Final Jumper
At the end of Grand Finals most players used to swap jumpers. However, at the end of the 1971 Grand Final Sattler did not swap with anybody. The reason for this was he had promised his jumper to a young fan, John Payne.
Sattler had been deeply moved by young John’s effort in visiting him at the hospital he was in after breaking his jaw during the 1970 Grand Final. The youngster had travelled by train from Bankstown to a station close to Zetland and walked to the hospital by himself.
Sattler made sure Payne got back to the station safely and gave him his Grand Final jersey. I wonder if he still has it?
Too Heavy
John Sattler always had a love of horses. He would think nothing of spending extended hours with them. On Friday afternoon most schools have sport. John’s school was no exception. Sneaking out the gate John would spend the afternoon with his horses.
Being disciplined made no difference. He had an idea he might like to be a jockey. After riding around the track he was weighed. “Jesus Christ John, you’ll kill the bloody horse” was a comment from a race track official. Alas that was the end of his career as a jockey.
Coming To Souths
John began his football career with Kurri Kurri. In 1962 he had the honour of being chosen to represent Newcastle against Great Britain.
The Newcastle team beat the touring side with a wonderful performance and Sattler impressed. Frank Facer from St. George came up with an offer to join the club. He dropped great names such as Raper and Gasnier. Satts had never heard of them.
Canterbury also made an offer. On New Years Eve 1962 John went out to celebrate, getting home in the wee hours of the morning and collapsing in bed exhausted.
That did not stop George Hansen and Joe Maloney. A bang on the door of John’s parents house woke him up. “Come and play for South Sydney” was the general gist of the discussion that ensured. Weighing up his offers he only had to look at his father’s face, a rabid Souths supporter, to know there was only one choice.
A Tough Way To Make A Living
Rugby league is sometimes touted as a tough way to make a living. Well apart from having to work up a sweat, today’s game is a breeze. Even John O’Neill made the comment in the mid to late 70s that the game was faster but nowhere near as tough.
Today if you throw a water bottle you get suspended! In the 60s when Sattler began his career it was TOUGH! I have heard from a few places that it had brutal, battlefield type thuggery in the initial ‘softening up’ period for the first 10-20 minutes of every game.
It has been said that Saints would give the ball to the opposition so that players like ‘Kandos’ Ryan could subdue them. Saints ran roughshod in the competition until they met a team that was their equal in toughness – South Sydney with John Sattler in the team.
John talked about the ‘stiffie’ regularly employed by the SAS players on the team (Stiff Arm Snipers) and he had the marks on his arm to prove it.
Settling Sattler
John himself knew he had to settle down. Clive Churchill was signed on as coach of the 1967 season and proceeded to reveal his master stroke. Making John Sattler captain. “John” said Churchill. “Yes Coach”. “I want you be our captain”.
A decision that shocked everybody turned out to be the best decision Churchill made for Sattler and the South Sydney club. Mind you he did get sent off the field during his tenure as captain. Once against Balmain in 1970 he barely lasted six minutes.
Favourite Quote
“On the field a ferocious and ruthless opponent; off the field a gentleman of great charm”. This quote from THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD after the Grand Final of 1971 is my favourite one. I think it sums up the great man very well.
These are some of my favourite memories of John Sattler. I would love to hear some of yours.
John Sattler passed away on the 20th March, 2023. A memorial service was held in his honour at Redfern Oval.
John Sattler Tales.
By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.
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