The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw by The Whitlams, Black Stump Band – Song of the Day

Our Song of the Day is The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw by The Whitlams, Black Stump Band. The idea to record a country song came about when The Whitlams front man, Tim Freedman, discovered the indie rock band’s song Man About A Dog had been added to country radio.

Written by singer-songwriter Perry Keyes, The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw celebrates one of the greatest stories in rugby league when the South Sydney’s captain had his jaw broken in the third minute of the 1970 Grand Final. Sattler played out the rest of the game, leading Souths to victory over Manly.

Tim says, “The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw might be the greatest song ever written about rugby league, but it is so much more.” 

The music video for The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw was made by acclaimed Sydney photojournalist and director Johnny Barker. It features archival footage of Tim's father, Barrie Freedman, reading the Channel 7 News in July 1970 tipping Souths for the upcoming Grand Final. Barrie proved correct in his prediction, and Souths went on to win the premiership in September against Manly Warringah, the team that Barrie had been taking his son Tim, then six years old, to watch at Brookvale Oval over the course of the season.  

Here’s the full story as per the press release: 

In 2021, during the depths of Covid, Tim Freedman loaded his piano into the back of the car and headed out on a solo regional tour. While driving between Gunnedah and Mudgee, via Black Stump Way, he discovered that The Whitlams’ Man About a Dog – a song about driving through the country after heavy rains have broken the drought – had been added to country radio. 

In Mudgee, Tim hatched an idea. He called award-winning producer Matt Fell, who had worked on his solo album, Australian Idle. “Put together your dream band,” Tim said. “I think I want to make a country album.”

The result is The Whitlams, Black Stump Band, a surprising country detour for one of Australia’s most loved bands, featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians, including Rod McCormack (on banjo, papoose and acoustic guitar), Ollie Thorpe (pedal steel and electric guitar), and Matt Fell on bass. 

The Whitlams, Black Stump Band will embark on a national regional tour in July and August. The band will be joined along the way by special guests including 2022 Golden Guitar nominated artists Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, Cass Hopetoun and  Raechel Whitchurch. 

“We can’t wait to get our elbows in the breeze in July starting with a rigorous North Queensland run. Whatsmore, we are thrilled to have such great Country artists on the shows with us!” 

The Whitlams, Black Stump Band - John Sattler’s Jaw Tour 2022

Thu 28 July - The Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay – QLD
Fri 29 Jul - Mansfield Hotel, Townsville – QLD
Sat 30 Jul - Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns – QLD
Wed 03 Aug - Gunnedah Town Hall, Gunnedah – NSW
Thu 04 Aug - Orange Civic Theatre, Orange – NSW
Fri 05 Aug - Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan – ACT
Sat 06 Aug - Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral – NSW
Sun 07 Aug - Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo – NSW
Fri 12 Aug - Westernport Hotel, San Remo – VIC
Sat 13 Aug – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff – VIC
 Sun 14 Aug - Burrinja Theatre, Upwey – VIC

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