The Rabbitohs’ Good Friday clash has suddenly taken on even greater significance after club legend Nathan Merritt made the heartbreaking revelation that he’s only been given 12 months to live. Merritt announced just hours before Souths winger Alex Johnston broke the NRL’s all-time try scoring record last month that he was battling stage-four oesophageal and liver cancer.
And on Tuesday he provided a devastating update on his cancer battle that has left the league world shattered. The 42-year-old continues to undergo chemotherapy and has been given the honour of ringing the club’s Legacy Bell in front of what is expected to be a massive crowd at Accor Stadium on Friday, as his beloved Bunnies take on the Bulldogs.
The NRL world is rallying around Rabbitohs legend Nathan Merritt after a heartbreaking new update on his cancer battle. Pic: Getty
Merritt knows it might be the last Good Friday clash he gets to watch, and says his dying wish is to witness the Rabbitohs win another premiership. “That would be a great way to go out,” Merritt told The Sydney Morning Herald. “The doctors have given me 12 months or so. The chemo is to prolong my life expectancy.
“I’m in a bit of pain, but I’m not as bad as what others have experienced. Souths have the team to do it. I’d just love to see them in a grand final again. As a fan of the club, it would be a wonderful moment.”
Merritt scored 135 tries for the Rabbitohs in two separate stints at the club, before hanging up the boots after their 2014 premiership triumph. At the time Merritt was the club’s record try-scorer but has since been surpassed by Johnston, who succeeded him on the wing for the Bunnies.
Souths hoping to do Nathan Merritt proud on Good Friday
A former NSW Origin player, Merritt has remained a much loved figure at Souths since his retirement. Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton says Merritt was one of the stars he grew up idolising and hopes the team can put in a performance against the Bulldogs to do him proud.
“He’s one of the greats. He’s someone I looked up to coming through,” Wighton told NRL.com. “I looked up to him when I was playing and he was still running around.
“The club loves him. I got to know him a little bit outside football and he’s an absolute champion. It’s going to be awesome to see him there, hopefully in good spirits ringing the bell.”
Nathan Merritt celebrates with Rabbitohs during the 2013 NRL preliminary final against Manly. Pic: Getty
(Mark Kolbe via Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs will raise money for Merritt during Friday’s match as part of a 50-50 charity raffle. And the father-of-five says having the honour of ringing the bell in front of more than 50,000 fans is “going to be a highlight of the remainder of my life”.
He told NRL.com: “It will be a special occasion for me and my family and special to do it with my family. I’m happy Souths have given me the opportunity to ring the bell and be part of this game. It’s a credit to the club and the people behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to put this together.
“I can’t thank them enough for giving me this special treatment and making me feel part of the Rabbitohs family. I’m a Rabbitohs man through and through, I grew up supporting Souths and still support them to this day. For them to go out of their way to do this for me, I’m very thankful and will enjoy every moment of it.”