Funeral of John Sattler: Burgess brothers bid farewell to NRL legend with emotional gesture

Scott Sattler has paid tribute to his father John, claiming that with the death of the rugby league legend, God has just added to his perfect forward package.

John Sattler was given his farewell at a packed funeral service in the Gold Coast on Friday, attended by the likes of Wally Lewis, Ken Arthurson and South Sydney officials.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Rabbitohs in mourning after the death of John Sattler.

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For many, Sattler was South Sydney, having guided the club to four Premierships between 1967 and 1971.

The Newcastle junior was one of the Rabbitohs’ best strikers of all time and as he sang the team’s victory song it echoed through Sacred Heart Church as he was carried.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou was in attendance hours before his team’s clash with Melbourne, while former team-mate Bob McCarthy delivered a touching tribute and was a pallbearer.

Sam and George Burgess draped Cameron Murray’s No 13 shirt from last week over Sattler’s Rabbitohs casket, while the former Kangaroo Test captain was buried with his South Sydney tie.

“God already has Arthur Beetson, Sticks (Norm) Provan, Lurch (John) O’Neill, Ned (Noel) Kelly and Chook (John) Raper,” said Scott Sattler.

“He’s looking for another forward to add to his pack. And he just got a good one.”

Known as one of rugby league’s toughest men on the field, John Sattler was a gentleman.

Scott recalled how McCarthy often described the two sides of his father, the tough man in the field who was seen an hour later helping an old lady cross the street.

The Penrith Premiership winner also recalled his father’s relationship with Clive Churchill, a failed truce with Western Suburbs hardman Kelly, his efforts to get the team licensed in Brisbane and campaigns for South Sydney’s reinstatement to strive.

“He loved the Bunnies. It was a second family to him,” Scott said.

But most of all, Scott spoke of growing up waterskiing all his life and his father trying to help him make his mark in rugby league.

“There was a great passage in Mat Rogers’ autobiography that I think is appropriate for a child and especially a son,” Scott said.

“I have followed my father’s standards in every area of ​​my life.

“It was no different for us.

“Because he set such high standards and when it came to training hard, being humble, showing humility and trying to make sure the people around you feel important and needed.

“Many might call it pressure, but I had ambitions to emulate it. More off the pitch.”