Rabbitohs great Nathan Merritt’s condition ‘slightly improved’ after collapse
There has been a positive update following Nathan Merritt’s collapse, with the former South Sydney star’s condition said to have “slightly improved”.
Merritt remains in a serious condition after he was rushed to hospital and placed on life support on the weekend.
Merritt is reported to have been visiting his auntie’s house in Sydney where he collapsed and was found unresponsive.
The report claims Merritt had a serious adverse reaction after he consumed prescribed pain medication.
On Sunday, News Corp reported Merritt’s organs have been impacted.
According to the Daily Telegraph, family and friends said on Monday his lung capacity had improved and his internal swelling had decreased.
“Nathan is still serious and he’s not out of the woods but there is a slight improvement,” one friend said.
“There are some encouraging signs which are good. His lung capacity has increased.
“Hopefully he can get a little bit better every day. It’s a slow process.”
Stewart McLean
Merritt played in the recent incident-plagued Koori Knockout event on the NSW Central Coast where Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr was involved in a punch up.
He reportedly was suffering from pneumonia at the event and was short of breath.
Merritt has previously played for the same Sydney All Blacks team as Addo-Carr at the annual rugby league event.
Over the weekend his sister Teanne Merritt wrote on Facebook: “On behalf of Nathan and our family, we would like to thank everyone for your well wishes and prayers.
“Nathan is still in a critical condition but he’s a fighter and we are grateful for everyone’s support through this tough time. We will update you when we can.
The 40-year-old retired in 2014 as one of the most popular players the club has fielded since the turn of the century.
The prolific try scorer ended his 237-game NRL career with 154 tries.
He is among the club’s most celebrated figures after breaking Benny Wearing’s 81-year-old try-scoring record at the club.
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has made a brief public comment.
“Nathan is in the thoughts and prayers of every Rabbitoh at the moment,” he said.
Merritt was the league’s leading tryscorer for three seasons and was the 9th player in the history of the sport to score 150 total tries.
Merritt made two appearances for the PM’s XIII and scored two tries as well as three games for the Indigenous All-Stars.
He made his only appearance for New South Wales in Game Two of the 2013 State of Origin series.
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