'No way they were going to lose': Souths win for Satts

When Latrell Mitchell kicked a late penalty goal to send Saturday night’s match against Manly to extra time, Scott Sattler knew that the Rabbitohs were going to cap celebrations for the life of his late father, John, with a win.

“It was just a great way to celebrate a great guy, a great human being, and a great clubman,” Sattler said. “When the game went to golden point there was no way they were ever going to lose it.”

Even the 13-12 final score, after South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias kicked an 82nd minute field goal, was seen as a tribute to Sattler, who wore the No.13 jersey in six grand final appearances for the club, captaining the Rabbitohs in five and winning four.

“Out on the field, looking up at the scoreboard, and it says ‘13 points’,” Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said.

“That was John’s number, and to have his family here today was pretty special. I’ve got to know Satts a bit over the last few years and they are a great family.”

Demetriou helped form a guard of honour with Sattler’s family and current and former Souths officials, including George Piggins and Nick Pappas, before he and Scott joined the Rabbitohs players in a huddle while they observed a minute’s silence for the Hall of Famer.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a former Souths director, and co-owners Russell Crowe and Mike Cannon-Brookes were among the 18,379 crowd who remained eerily quiet during the minute’s silence for Sattler.

Albanese joined a minute’s applause in the 13th minute as a tribute to Sattler but he had to leave soon after to attend celebrations with NSW Labor leader Chris Minns after the party’s landslide election win.

“It was just emotional during that minute’s silence,” Scott said. “I thought I had cried enough this week, but I nearly lost it then as well because it was so haunting and so quiet.

“I think South Sydney celebrate their history better than anyone and losing one of their favourite sons, I was really mindful of the emotion not hijacking the game. From all reports Cam Murray has been amazing this week.

“He wears the No.13 jersey, was named captain at 24 – the same age as the old man – and he had to do all the media.”

With the Rabbitohs in the midst of a middle forward injury crisis, Murray played the entire 80 minutes, while second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi shifted closer to the ruck and played 78 minutes in the unaccustomed role.

“The players live and breathe the history every day, so they don’t need an explanation of what John meant to the club,” Souths CEO Blake Solly said.

“They knew it straight away and instinctively understood his huge contribution to the club. His passing was sad, but it gave them an opportunity to honour him, which they did.

“The Prime Minister was here because of John. [Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral] Mark Hammond, and lots of other people who are a part of the club, wanted to be here because they knew what John meant to us.

“I want to call out three people in particular – [media manager] Jeremey Monahan, [chief commercial officer Shannon Donato and [football manager] Mark Ellison, who were central to everything, from liasing with the Sattler family, to getting the jersey done on four days notice.

“Everything we did, we just wanted to do with the respect that John’s great life deserved.”

Video tributes played on the big screen, while the Rabbitohs played in replica jerseys from the 1970 grand final in which Sattler famously played for 77 minutes with a fractured jaw.

After the 13-12 win, a video of Sattler singing the club’s victory song was played through the loudspeakers at Accor Stadium.

“I think everyone knew how great a player he was and what a great leader he was, but people who probably didn’t know him would also have loved his companionship as well,” Scott said.

“He was always a guy who was present in the moment, he always gave his time to everyone. He was a gentleman. As Bobby McCarthy used to say, ‘he looks like a choirboy but he plays like the devil’.

“Twenty minutes after the game was finished he would be helping a little old lady across Chalmers Street to the [former] leagues club. He was a great guy and that is why I call him ‘Gentleman John’, because he was so chivalrous.

“He was fierce on the field but the guys who played against him and admired and respected him as well.”

Murray said he was pleased Souths were able to come from behind to win the tight encounter.

“We were celebrating the life of one of Souths favourite sons, a legend of the club, so there was a lot to play for,” Murray said.

“It was a sad week for the club but at the same time we were able to celebrate one of our legends. I’m happy everything went to plan, and we got the job done.”