Nathan Merritt update: South Sydney Rabbitohs release heartfelt statement

South Sydney has released its first statement since Nathan Merritt was put on life support, delivering a heartfelt message to Rabbitoh #974. Read the statement.

Former NRL great Nathan Merritt. Picture: Stewart McLean

South Sydney has released its first statement addressing club legend Nathan Merritt’s condition after he was put on life support after an apparent adverse reaction to medication.

In the statement, South Sydney revealed Merritt’s family provided a positive update on the former Rabbitohs’ condition.

“Out of respect for the privacy of Nathan and the Merritt family,” the Instagram statement reads, “the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares have chosen not to comment on his situation up until now.

“We are so happy to hear directly from his immediate family that Merro’s condition is improving. He is being looked after by the best medical practitioners, and he is in the thoughts of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs. It will be a slow recovery, but it’s a battle he’s in with all of our support.

“Keep fighting hard with that South Sydney spirit, Merro! You’re always a Rabbitoh! #974.”

The statement comes after friends revealed Merritt’s medical condition has “slightly improved.”

While Merritt remains in a serious condition, family acquaintances said on Monday that the ex-Rabbitohs’ lung capacity had improved over the past 24 hours.

There are also suggestions Merritt’s 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.”

Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr and former boxing champion Anthony Mundine have been regular visitors for Merritt.

Friends have been sending messages to Merritt with a common theme: Keep fighting.

Friends say Nathan Merritt’s condition has improved. Picture: Stewart McLean

Merritt was found unresponsive on Friday and has been on life support at Sydney Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

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

However, Mundine claimed Pneumonia coupled with playing football at the Koori Knockout the previous weekend may have contributed to Merritt’s condition.

“He didn’t know he had Pneumonia,” Mundine said. “He kept asking for his puffer every ten minutes because he was finding it hard to breathe from the Pneumonia.”

Despite speculation, there is no evidence Merritt sustained any concussion at Koori Knockout.

Originally published as Nathan Merritt update: South Sydney Rabbitohs release heartfelt statement