Local rugby league legend Michael Blattner suffers heart attack on field while playing in south NSW

‘He smashed a pie, a coke and some red frogs and was ready to get back out there’: Read the extraordinary story of a local footy legend who had a heart attack while playing rugby league.

Group 7 legend Mick Blattner. Pictures: Contributed

The south coast footy community is today getting around a true local legend of the sport Michael ‘Mick’ Blattner, after it was revealed he suffered an unexpected heart attack during his game on Sunday.

Blattner, 49, plays reserve grade footy for the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies in the Group 7 competition and was just three minutes into his match against the Stingrays of Shellharbour when he collapsed on the field.

Incredibly though, Blatter was able to get up on his own and return to the bench unassisted.

Coach of the Magpies reserve grade side, Marcus Rogers, said they knew the situation wasn’t good when the renowned toughman Blattner left the field of play.

“We weren’t totally aware of the dangers at the time, being such a fast paced environment on the footy field,” Rogers said.

Mick Blattner of the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies. Picture: Contributed

“But Blatts is the kind of person you can never get off the football field, so immediately we knew something wasn’t right when he did.”

Blattner, a prop forward, was even ready to get back to return to the field later in the game but was talked down by those around him.

“He smashed a pie, a coke and some red frogs and was ready to get back out there,” Rogers said.

“Everyone talked him out of it though.

League legend. Mick Blattner during his earlier stint with the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies. Picture: Contributed

“Rugby league can have a real ‘she’ll be right’ mentality sometimes, but we’ve all got a duty of care … you’ve got to know where to draw the line.”

Blattner is an extremely well-travelled player in the Group 7 competition, having played with the Nowra Warriors, Bomaderry Swamp Rats, Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, Berry Magpies, Wreck Bay Bears and Shellharbour Sharks.

A former first grade player, he won competitions with the Bulldogs, Jets and Sharks.

He also spent the last two seasons in the Northern Rivers League with the Cudgen Hornets where his son Zac still plays.

He has since returned to the Magpies where he had a number of successful years in the early 2000s as a player and coach.

“I’ve never met someone of his age who can still move on the football field like he does,” Rogers said.

“He brings such energy and passion to the team and such a wealth of knowledge.

“I think he’s one of our top try scorers actually.

Mick Blattner with sons Zac and Kealen during their time at the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets. Picture: Supplied

“He’s just an awesome dude.”

After taking himself to hospital, Blattner undertook an Angiogram Test which revealed blockages in five of his arteries, one as bad as 99%, and is now preparing for a Triple Bypass surgery this Friday.

Because of this, Blatter will be unable to work for an expected eight to 10 weeks, so a GoFundMe has been set up to ease the financial burden on his family.

“Get around it, every bit counts,” Rogers said.

“He’s a great bloke who has given so much to the game we love.”