NRL news: South Sydney great Nathan Merritt on life support, family provides update

South Sydney great Nathan Merritt has been labelled a “fighter” as he remains on life support at a Sydney hospital after collapsing over the weekend.

South Sydney great Nathan Merritt. Picture: Stewart McLean

The sister of Nathan Merritt has labelled the former South Sydney star a “fighter” as she revealed he remains in a critical condition.

Teanne Merritt’s emotional words came as the rugby league community united behind her brother, who was rushed to Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Friday after being found unresponsive.

It is understood Nathan, who scored 154 tries in his 237-game NRL career, collapsed after suffering an adverse reaction to prescribed pain medication.

His organs have been impacted.

“On behalf of Nathan and our family, we would like to thank everyone for your well wishes and prayers,” Teanne wrote on Facebook.

“Nathan is still in a critical condition but he’s a fighter.

“We are grateful for everyone’s support through this tough time. We will update you when we can.”

Souths forward Keaon Koloamatangi, who is in camp with the Tongan team in Redcliffe, said the Rabbitohs players were devastated by the shock news.

“We heard the news in the Rabbitohs group chat that the players have, it’s very sad,”

Koloamatangi said.

“We were all sad to see the news, he’s a big part of the club.

“I just want to send my prayers and thoughts to his family and all loved ones, and his (five) kids of course.

“I’ll be keeping him and his family in my prayers going forward. I really hope we hear some positive news really soon.”

Nathan Merritt and (inset) with his extended family.

Merritt, ranked among the club’s greatest players, was still on life support on Sunday afternoon and is understood to be hooked up to a dialysis machine.

It is unknown how long Merritt was unresponsive before being found.

Former Souths halfback Craig Field posted on social media: “Nathan will go down as the greatest winger ever to play for Souths and a champion man off the field. My thoughts and best wishes to the family at this moment.”

Former Parramatta premiership-winner David Liddiard said: “Gutted to hear that news. Praying for you, brother. You’ll pull through this, you’re a very strong man.”

Ex-NRL star Nat Wood posted: “Much love and prayers to ‘Naty’ boy and family.”

Former Rabbioths champion Darrell Trindall posted: “Just heard the sad news about our brother and good friend Nathan Merritt. Hope you pull through brother, a dead set champion player and an even better bloke.”

Nathan Merritt playing for NSW during Game II of the 2013 State of Origin rugby league series. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Now 40, Merritt played with Souths between 2002 and 2014. He scored 10 tries or more in a season for eight successive years.

Merritt played in the Koori Knockout on the Central Coast last weekend.

Onlookers claimed Merritt sustained concussion during a game but it’s unknown whether the head knock is related to his collapse.

Merritt twice topped the NRL’s try scoring charts – remarkably in 2006 when the Rabbitohs finished with the wooden spoon and in 2011 when they were 10th.

The Redfern-born star also represented at the highest level.

Merritt played one game for NSW State of Origin in 2013, two Australian Prime Minister’s XIII appearances, two City Origin appearances and also represented the NRL Indigenous All Stars three times.

He was awarded the Preston Campbell Medal for his Man of the Match performance in the 2012 Indigenous All Stars game.

Originally published as NRL news: South Sydney great Nathan Merritt on life support, family provides update