- Fan shares photo of South’s great Nathan Merritt
- Merritt appears to be on the mend after health issues
- Star was put on a ventilator in early October
A footy fan has shared an uplifting photo of Rabbitohs great Nathan Merritt, who appears to be recovering well after collapsing and being put on a ventilator several weeks ago.
Merritt was rushed to the hospital and placed on a ventilator when he was found unconscious at his aunt’s home on October 6.
The 40-year-old emerged from his coma a week later and remained in a stable condition at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Last week there were reports that Merritt was getting better and was talking again, sitting up and getting out of bed.
On Sunday, a fan posted a photo on Facebook of the South Sydney Rabbitohs Supporter Group of Merritt smiling with a cup of coffee.
A Souths fan has shared an encouraging photo of Souths legend Nathan Merritt
Merritt was placed on a ventilator after being found unconscious on October 6
“I visited Nathan Merritt at the hospital this morning and you will be happy to know that he is doing well and on the mend,” the fan wrote.
“He gave me permission to post this and asked me to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.”
Merritt’s collapse is believed to have been caused by an adverse reaction to prescription painkillers.
The former Souths flyer had played in the Koori Knockout a week prior to the medical episode.
One of the most beloved figures in Souths’ modern history, Merritt is the club’s second most prolific try scorer.
A Redfern junior, Merritt’s 154 tries are equal 12th in the history of top-level Australian rugby league.
Born and raised in Redfern, Merritt began his journey in football as a junior player with the Alexandria Rovers competing in the South Sydney junior competition.
Merritt’s collapse is believed to have been caused by an adverse reaction to painkillers
After retiring, he channeled his passion for the sport into a cause close to his heart, establishing the Nathan Merritt Foundation, which is committed to providing guidance and support to Indigenous youth in Sydney.
The incident comes after Merritt pleaded guilty to common assault after repeatedly punching a bar security guard who tried to help him get home after a drinking session in December 2022.
His lawyer told Burwood Local Court that it was ‘pure luck’ that no one was seriously injured in the attack and revealed that Merritt – who the court was told suffered from depression after retiring from football – was so drunk that he has only vague memories of the attack.