On this day in 1970, Rabbitohs Captain, John Sattler, continued play after sustaining a serious jaw injury three minutes in to the Grand Final against Manly at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sattler’s jaw was broken in three places after a big hit from Sea Eagles prop John Bucknall.
Despite his injury and in a moment described as the most celebrated display of heroics in Rugby League history, Sattler refused to leave the field.
Suffering from excruciating pain, Sattler managed to make 20 tackles, one offload and touch the ball 29 times while missing only one tackle and making one handling error.
After 77 minutes and numerous suggestions from both his team mates and Coach Clive Churchill to retire to the bench, Sattler showed the strength of his Captaincy and led his side to a 23-12 Grand Final victory.
This marked the Rabbitohs third Premiership in four years.