Tough years make title sweeter: Sutton

For captain John Sutton all those hammerings, all those years when South Sydney struggled to win a handful of games, are now worth it.

Leading the Rabbitohs to their 21st premiership win, their first since 1971, makes all the tough years worthwhile.

No player has notched up more first grade games for the storied club than Sutton, who made his NRL debut with the club in 2004, two years after readmission when they were competition easybeats and collected three wooden spoons in four years.

Sutton says he has never forgotten those days, and the sour of those memories has made the triumph of a premiership all the sweeter.

“100 per cent, this has been one of the best nights of my life, I am so proud of everyone,” Sutton said after Souths 30-6 grand final win over Canterbury.

“This means everything to me.

“I have been at this club for 10 years now and I am so proud, I can’t even describe how happy I am right now.

“It has been a long journey.

“To lead them out tonight was incredible and I want to thank Madge (coach Michael Maguire) for that.

“When he wanted me to be one of the captains I probably wasn’t that keen on it but I have been cherishing every moment I lead the boys out.”

“Tonight was incredible.”

Maguire paid tribute to Sutton’s contribution as a leader.

“His presence in the team is vital,” he said.

“He is a very, very smart player, a smart footballer.

“I watched the way he talked to the players and pushed the players around the park, I knew he had a lot more in him.

“We had some challenges along the way to grow as a group.

“John had a lot of knockers prior to my time here, but what he has achieved tonight it is one hell of an achievement.”