Bunnies great Nathan Merritt has shared a sad health update weeks after a heartbreaking stage-four cancer double diagnosis.
Merritt, who made 218 appearances in the red and green stripes in a 237-game NRL career, was in attendance to ring the club’s Legacy Bell at the traditional Good Friday clash with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
The 42-year-old believes he has less than a year to live. Invited to the match as a guest of the Bunnies, he believes this could likely be the last NRL game he ever attends.
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Speaking to Brad Fittler on Nine’s coverage, Merritt said he was “just doing his best”. He and 20 friends and family had been put up in a corporate box for the match.
“I’m pretty crook at the moment … just taking it as it comes, enjoying each day as it comes,” he said.
Rabbitohs great Nathan Merritt shared a sad health update ahead of the club’s traditional Good Friday clash with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium. Nine
“It’s a good day for me. I’ve got a box up there with 20 family and friends – it’s a great occasion for me to have a little bit of celebration about Souths and what I’ve done here, and just enjoy the moment as well.”
The 42-year-old father of five last month revealed he had diagnosed with oesophagus and liver cancer. He had been given the oesophageal diagnosis last November, but the liver diagnosis much more recently. His kids are aged between 11 and 21.
Merritt has lost about 22kg since he started chemotherapy.
When Fittler asked about his most memorable Good Friday moment, Merritt recalled the 2013 clash, in which his Rabbitohs won 17-12.
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With the scores locked 6-6 midway through the second half, Merritt was on the receiving end of a pin-point perfect kick from Adam Reynolds to score in the corner and give his side the lead.
“It was a trick-shot try – Reyno kicked it on the sideline to me and I scored in the corner. That was fun – that’s a highlight I remember,” he said.
It wasn’t his last key involvement in the match – he later got a crucial offload away to Bryson Goodwin to score and ice the match.
The Rabbitohs Foundation has set up a GoFundMe to help Merritt and his family with ongoing medical expenses.