Rugby league, specifically the NRL, is the toughest sport in the world. A natural response to playing the toughest sport in the world are injuries. And while it would be awesome if they didn't exist, unfortunately, that comes with the territory.
With injuries, comes players playing with and through them. And while you may find yourself grimacing at the gladiatorial nature of a player playing through a broken bone, nothing makes for a better story. It's moments like these that turn great plays, games and players into legends that will far outlast the player that did it.
You only have to look as far back as Round 3 of the 2022 season to find the latest one. Sure, if Ray Stone scores the game-winning try by trying harder than everyone andย doesn'tย injure himself, it's awesome. The fact he tore his ACL and still got the job done, while horrible and sad, makes it a legendary moment.
So, with that being said, let's take a look at some of the toughest, most memorable and most heroic moments and games the game has seen.
1. Fifth and Last: John Sattler
Possibly the most celebrated display of toughness the game has ever seen, John Sattler's name has lived on through this game ever since.
Three minutes into the 1970 grand final against the Manly Sea Eagles, Sattlers' jaw was broken in three places after a brutal swinging forearm when he wasn't even looking, let alone had the ball.
Despite his clear pain being obvious to even through the grainy black and white footage, Sattler refused to leave the field. Sattler captained his side to a 23-12 victory despite both his teammates and coach begging him to head to the bench.
It is the toughest performance anyone has ever put forth on the rugby league field and Sattler lives on as a hero because of it.
