Nathan Merritt at centre of positive update amid former NRL player's fight for life

Friends of Nathan Merritt have provided a positive update on his condition after he suffered a serious adverse reaction to prescribed pain medication over the weekend. News emerged on Saturday that the former South Sydney Rabbitohs winger was fighting for his life in hospital after an incident at his auntie's house.

The 40-year-old reportedly collapsed and was found unresponsive, before being rushed to hospital where he is believed to be on life support. News Corp reported on Sunday that Merritt's organs have been impacted, but on Monday it emerged that his lung capacity has increased in the last 24 hours.

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“Nathan is still serious and he’s not out of the woods but there is a slight improvement,” a friend told the Daily Telegraph. “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."

Merritt's sister Teanne wrote on Facebook on Saturday: “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.”

Merritt is currently in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown and in a serious condition. South Sydney CEO Blake Solly said on Saturday: “Nathan is in the thoughts and prayers of every Rabbitoh at the moment.”

Merritt played in the Koori Knockout Indigenous carnival last weekend on the NSW Central Coast, alongside the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Josh Addo-Carr. Onlookers have claimed the winger sustained a concussion during one game, although it has not been confirmed whether the head knock is related to his condition.

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One of South Sydney's most popular players of all time, Merritt retired as the most prolific try-scorer in Rabbitohs history with 146 tries in 218 matches from 2002 to 2014. He also had a one-year stint at Cronulla in 2004 before returning to Souths.

His 218 appearances is fourth on the all-time list for the Rabbitohs, while his 154 career tries are the equal-12th most of all time. Merritt, a Redfern local, also played at the highest level with one appearance for NSW in the 2013 State of Origin series, two games for the Australian Prime Minister's XIII and two for the City Origin team.

He also represented the NRL Indigenous All Stars three times and was awarded the Preston Campbell Medal for his man-of-the-match performance in the 2012 Indigenous All Stars game. Fans and fellow players are sending their well-wishes to the popular winger.

'The Mole' account tweeted: "Update on Nathan Merritt from one of his close mates this morning...keep him in your thoughts...'Mate, I'm hearing still on life support in a critical condition'. Very Sad...hopefully he can pull through."

with AAP

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