- The 40-year-old was fighting for his life in a Sydney hospital
- Suffered a reaction to prescribed pain medication
Southern great Nathan Merritt has awoken from his coma.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Merritt was found unconscious last Friday and has been on life support at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney ever since.
It is now known that the 40-year-old is in a stable condition Daily Telegraph reports that he has spoken to his father.
Southern great Nathan Merritt has awoken from his coma
On Tuesday, his family released an update, confirming the former NRL star’s condition had improved ‘slightly’.
Merritt’s sister Teanne wHer brother Arned was still not out of the woods and had a challenging journey ahead of him.
Visitors to the hospital, apart from immediate family and close friends such as Anthony Mundine and Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr, remain off limits.
“We have been advised that Nathan is improving a little, but he has a long road to recovery,” Teanne posted on Facebook.
“Thank you to everyone, family and friends who have come to visit Nathan and all the well wishes and kind words from everyone. ‘Thank you all for your continued love and support.’
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Merritt was found unconscious last Friday and has been on life support at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital ever since.
It comes after the Rabbitohs finally broke their silence on Merritt’s situation five days after he was rushed to hospital.
“Out of respect for the privacy of Nathan and the Merritt family, the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares have chosen not to comment on his situation at this time,” the club said in a statement.
“We are very happy to hear directly from his immediate family that Merro’s condition is improving.
“He is being looked after by the best doctors and he is in the thoughts of everyone connected with the Rabbitohs.
“It will be a slow recovery but it is a battle he is in with all our support. Keep fighting hard with that South Sydney spirit, Get it! You are always a Rabbitoh! #974′.
Merritt, who hung up his boots in 2014 after 237 first-grade games, is regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Born and raised in Redfern, he began his football journey as a junior player with Alexandria Rovers in the South Sydney junior competition.
After retirement, the father of five channeled his passion for sport into a cause close to his heart, founding the Nathan Merritt Foundation dedicated to providing guidance and support to Indigenous youth in Sydney.
Lifeline 13 11 14; beyond blue 1300 22 4636; 13 THREADS 13 92 76; Aboriginal Counseling Services 0410 539 905
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