North Melbourne youngster Paul Curtis has revealed that he was evacuated from Bali during the off-season, after he contracted a life-threatening illness and was later forced to undergo emergency surgery.
At the conclusion of the 2025 season, the 22-year-old had travelled to the UK with a group of friends.
However, while holidaying in London, the young Kangaroo contracted a bad flu, which later turned into pneumonia.
Curtis went to a hospital in London and revealed he was made to wait eight hours to be seen and ultimately did not receive the correct treatment.
‘I went up to the front desk, and I said, like: “Guys, I can’t breathe”,’ he told 7News.
‘I finally got seen, and they just gave me some stronger meds, and I was in there for 10 minutes, and they said: “You’re all good”.’
He was given oral antibiotics and told he was ‘OK’ to get on a flight to Bali.
North Melbourne youngster Paul Curtis has revealed that he was evacuated from Bali during the off-season, after he contracted a life-threatening illness and was later forced to undergo emergency surgery
Curtis revealed that he had been diagnosed with an illness called empyema, where fluid can build up in the cavities aroudn a person’s lungs (pictured with partner Kelera)
During the flight, the medium forward then began to suffer an allergic reaction to the antibiotics.
‘I just swelled up, my face just puffed up, I had a rash all over my body,’ he said.
‘My feet swelled up so I couldn’t walk.’
Images showed that his feet had ballooned due to the swelling, while Curtis also had several lumps appear on his forehead.
He had been travelling to Bali to meet his partner, Kelera. But with his condition getting worse, he admitted himself to a Bali hospital.
It was here that he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness called empyema, a condition where fluid builds up in the cavities around a person’s lungs.
Empyema is caused by pneumonia and the symptoms can include difficulty breathing, a lack of energy and chest pain.
Dr Clay Golledge told 7News: ‘[It is] a serious, very serious, life-threatening illness and he could have died from this.’
Curtis was placed on more antibiotics; however, his condition did not improve.
The 22-year-old North Melbourne star had been holidaying in Europe when he contracted pneumonia (pictured with team-mate Jackson Archer)
Curtis had enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, booting a career-high 38 goals across 19 matches
Curtis had flown to Bali to meet his partner Kelera (right) but had suffered an allergic reaction to medication he’d been given in London, durign the flight
He was then transported back to Australia and taken to the Hollywood Hospital in Nedlands, Western Australia, where he would undergo emergency surgery.
7News states that a litre of pus was removed from Curtis’ lung.
The 22-year-old, who was drafted to the Kangaroos as a No 31 pick in 2021, stayed in hospital for eight days before being released.
‘He certainly well could have died if he didn’t have instant medical and surgical attention when he got here,’ Dr Golledge said.
After three weeks of rehabilitation, Curtis, who has a three-year-old son called Elijah, is now a chance to play in the Kangaroos Round One clash against Port Adelaide on March 15.
The youngster enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, booting a career-high 38 goals across 19 matches.
Curtis, meanwhile, has been reflecting on his ordeal, adding that he was thankful to all the people who helped him recover from the illness.
‘It’s given me a good perspective on life, I guess, and how quickly things can change, and some things just aren’t in your control,’ Curtis added.
‘I’m just so grateful for all the people that helped me get back to where I am now.’