It’s not every day an NRL player runs onto the field for their 300th first-grade game.

This Saturday, when the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the West Tigers, Rabbitohs stalwart John Sutton will become the 32nd player in history to reach the milestone.

But if it hadn’t been for his mum Elena stepping in, he may not have made it.

In case you didn’t notice, Club legend John Sutton is going to play his 300th game this weekend! ❤💚

Here are all the details of his achievement in full and where he stands in the Rugby League history. 📜https://t.co/usfiMIXVtW#GoRabbitohs pic.twitter.com/NZxw6fxeNF

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) July 19, 2018

Elena tells Chris Smith she’s incredibly proud of her son and his rugby league achievements but admits keeping him on the straight and narrow, in the early days, wasn’t an easy task.

Sutton’s affiliation with the Bra Boys in his late teens saw him at the pub more times than Elena would have liked, and she wasn’t quiet about it.

“He missed out on trainings some days because they’d drink… so you’ve got to work hard to steer him to the right path.

“All the boys know, when I come, everyone runs their own way.”

Tribute to John Sutton unveiled at Kensington Oval in honour of his 300th NRL game. #sutton300 @2GB873 pic.twitter.com/Z0Gvs3WcW4

— Jenna Thomas (@jenna_2015) July 19, 2018

33-year-old Sutton started his career at South Sydney in 2004 and has stayed with the Bunnies ever since, rejecting offers from other clubs to join their ranks.

Sutton’s mum Elena tells Chris Smith she once encouraged her son to consider a move to the Melbourne Storm, but the Rabbitohs second-rower wouldn’t budge.

“In the long run, it’s his career and he wants to do what he wants to do.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview 

Image: Instagram