If there is one image that’s synonymous with Rugby League folklore, it’s 1970 Rabbitohs’ premiership captain John Sattler on his teammates shoulders in victory, with a bloodied jersey and badly broken jaw.
50 years on from that historical moment, ‘Gentleman John’s’ son, fellow league great Scott Sattler, is hunting for what may be one of the NRL’s most significant memorabilia pieces.
Almost three decades after the famous game, John Sattler had an offer for his famous jersey to be enshrined in a frame, in exchange for some autographs by a memorabilia dealer in Sydney.
According to Scott, this is where the story takes a darker turn.
After attempting to pick up the jersey shortly after, Sattler was told the frame needed to be fixed, and after returning again, he was told the bloodied jersey had “been lost”.
Speaking to Gary Belcher on Sportsday, Scott told the former Raider, “to this day it has never been found.”
The piece isn’t only important in League history, but for the Sattler family in particular, being “the only jersey (John) ever kept.”
Michael Zann - from Sydney’s memorabilia store Icons of Sport, told Sattler and Belcher that the jersey is priceless.
“It’s such a valuable piece of rugby league history,” Zann said.
“In my opinion it’s as significant (as Arthur Beetson’s famous Maroons’ game one jersey), and as a South Sydney supporter it’s more significant.
“It’s been voted as the greatest moment in Rugby league history.
“It’s definitely an item that should be in a museum somewhere.”
50 years on from that great moment, Badge and Satts are on the hunt for the jersey, hoping to re-connect John and the Rabbitohs’ with one of the most important moments in their history.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Sattler’s famous 1970 jersey, please get in touch on @SportsdayNSW or @SportsdayQLD on twitter, or message the show’s text line on 0477736736.
So the hunt is on to find the 1970 GF jersey worn by Johnny Sattler when his jaw was smashed in 3 places vs Manly. The jersey was ‘misplaced’ by a memorabilia company back in 2000 who were meant to frame it. The only jersey he kept. @SportsdayNSW @FOXNRL @NRL @SSFCRABBITOHS pic.twitter.com/ZtPUcjzNft
— Scott Sattler (@ScottSattler13) October 19, 2020