Retired NRL star Nathan Merritt is in a critical condition at a Sydney hospital after being found unresponsive on Friday.

The 40-year-old former winger for South Sydney was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown and is reportedly on life support. 

Merritt, a father of five, is believed to have had an adverse reaction to consuming prescribed pain medication and collapsed at his aunt’s house where he was staying.

Merritt participated in the Koori Knockout event held on The Central Coast last weekend where spectators reported that he seemed to have suffered a concussion during one of the games. 

It remains unclear if this incident has any connection to his subsequent collapse. 

The incident comes after Merritt pleaded guilty to common assault after repeatedly punching a pub security guard who was trying to help him get home after a drinking session in December, 2022.

His lawyer told the Burwood Local Court it was ‘pure luck’ nobody was seriously injured in the assault and revealed Merritt – who the court was told suffered depression after retiring from football – was so intoxicated he only has vague memories of the attack. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Nathan Merritt was found unresponsive on Friday and is in a critical condition in hospital

South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Nathan Merritt was found unresponsive on Friday and is in a critical condition in hospital

South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Nathan Merritt was found unresponsive on Friday and is in a critical condition in hospital

Information about his condition has been shared with his family, friends, and former teammates.

Merritt did not get to play in the 2014 NRL grand final won by Souths after Alex Johnston and Lote Tuqiri became the first-choice wingers that season.

He was not present at the grand final but posted on Instagram: ‘best wishes to the brothers tonight. Go get that premiership lads.’

It is shocking news for South Sydney supporters already left reeling from the tragic death of grand final hero Kyle Turner in August, aged 31. 

Merritt, who retired from the National Rugby League in 2014 after 237 games, is considered one of the greatest players in Rabbitohs history. 

Nathan Merritt, born and raised in Redfern, started his journey in football as a junior player with the Alexandria Rovers competing in the South Sydney junior competition.

After his retirement, he channeled his passion for the sport into a cause close to his heart, establishing the Nathan Merritt Foundation dedicated to offering guidance and support to Indigenous youth in Sydney.

Merritt was a fan favourite and also got to win three Koori Knockout tournaments playing alongside his father Tony

Merritt was a fan favourite and also got to win three Koori Knockout tournaments playing alongside his father Tony

 Merritt was a fan favourite and also got to win three Koori Knockout tournaments playing alongside his father Tony

Merritt retired from the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2014 after 237 games

Merritt retired from the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2014 after 237 games

Merritt retired from the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2014 after 237 games

Former Western Force star Dave Harvey, who played alongside Merritt in lower grades, expressed his shock on social media.

‘Reading that a former teammate and legend Nathan Merritt is on life support, so so sad!!! Keep fighting brother,’ he posted.

With his 219 games for Souths, he ranks fourth on the list of the club’s all-time games played. 

His outstanding performance also includes scoring 151 tries, which places him third on the all-time club try-scorers list, and accumulating 673 points, making him the sixth highest point scorer in the club’s history.

Despite the Rabbitohs’ poor performance in 2006 and 2011, Merritt managed to top the NRL’s try-scoring charts in both years. 

Merritt pictured with US rapper Snoop Dogg after the star met with South Sydney players and visited disadvantaged youth in Redfern

Merritt pictured with US rapper Snoop Dogg after the star met with South Sydney players and visited disadvantaged youth in Redfern

Merritt pictured with US rapper Snoop Dogg after the star met with South Sydney players and visited disadvantaged youth in Redfern

The Redfern-born athlete also achieved recognition at the highest level of the sport. Merritt represented New South Wales in the State of Origin in 2013, made two appearances in the Australian Prime Minister‘s XIII, represented City Origin twice, and earned three NRL Indigenous All Stars jerseys. 

His exceptional performance in the 2012 Indigenous All Stars game earned him the Preston Campbell Medal for Man of the Match.

Merritt also won three Koori Knockout tournaments alongside his father Tony.

Merritt, pictured right, also represented the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin

Merritt, pictured right, also represented the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin

Merritt, pictured right, also represented the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin

The news has sparked hundreds of messages of support from NRL fans.

‘Thoughts with him and his family,’ one posted.

‘Such a nice guy please get better soon Merro,’ posted another with cardinal and myrtle hearts.

‘Hope he’s ok, one awesome entertaining player,’ added another.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

13YARN 13 92 76

Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905

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