Saluting Sattler:
https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2023/03/24/saluting-sattler/
Tears are flowing!! If this doesn't get you fired up, I don't know what will!
‘He represents everything we want to be’: Murray’s Sattler tribute
Cameron Murray has heard all the stories about John Sattler, and what he appreciated most was that the late club legend represented everything today’s South Sydney player aspires to be.
“They say John Sattler was a knockabout, a gentleman and very polite off the field, but he was a hard man on the field,” Murray told the Herald on Friday.
“That represents everything we want to be here at the club - it represents what the South Sydney man really is.
“To see all the tributes continuing to roll in for him, even after all these years he actually donned the jersey, it says something about how much of a legacy he left at this club.
“Part of our culture here is we care about each other, we pride ourselves on being good blokes off the field and taking our manners everywhere. We want to be good role models in the community. It’s not just about performance on the field and winning games. Someone like John Sattler encapsulated that so well.”
Murray is well aware of the similarities between himself and Sattler. Not only does he wear Sattler’s No. 13, he was also elevated to the captaincy at the age of 24.
Cameron Murray is more like John Sattler than he realises.
Souths have done a marvellous job arranging a fitting tribute in such a short time. Sattler
died on Monday aged 80, having battled dementia.
There will be a minute’s standing ovation during the 13th minute of Saturday night’s clash against Manly. The players will wear the same playing strip, complete with a
torn rabbit emblem, made famous by Sattler in the 1970 grand final, when he finished the game with a broken jaw against the Sea Eagles.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou said it was appropriate that Murray would lead the players out on such an emotional evening at Accor Stadium.
“It couldn’t be more fitting [Murray is skipper], because their personality traits on and off field are very alike,” said Demetriou.
South Sydney will wear a one-off special jersey with the half rabbit emblem made famous by John Sattler in the 1970 grand final.
“Cam couldn’t be more polite and well spoken and humble off the field, but on the field he’s a ruthless competitor who gives his all for his teammates. We saw that last week late in the game [when Murray shirt-fronted Roosters centre Joey Manu], he’s prepared to stand up for his teammates and do whatever it takes.
“That’s why he’s the captain of our club and our future is bright.”
Missing several middle forwards through injury, and coming up against a powerhouse Manly pack, Murray knows he will need to dig deep like Sattler and lead the way up front.
No minute’s silence for Sattler
South Sydney have gone to great lengths to celebrate John Sattler’s life, but were surprised the NRL did not introduce a minute’s silence before all games this weekend, similar to the pre-match acknowledgements for Paul Green and immortal Bob Fulton.
Sattler was an Australian captain, and did a lot for the game in south-east Queensland in his later life.
“I assumed it [a minute’s silence] would have happened [at every game], but as a club we know how he means to us, and that’s the most important thing,” Souths coach Jason Demetriou said.
The NRL were mindful Sattler was a one-club player - and that the Souths-Manly clash played such a huge role in his career - and wanted to keep the focus as much as possible on Saturday night’s match.