{"id":434311,"date":"2026-01-24T11:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T11:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/434311\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T11:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T11:16:12","slug":"former-footy-star-involved-in-shocking-brawl-outside-a-sydney-pub-that-made-onlookers-fear-for-their-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/434311\/","title":{"rendered":"Former footy star involved in shocking brawl outside a Sydney pub that made onlookers ‘fear for their safety’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rabbitohs legend Nathan Merritt brawled with three men\u00a0Unfolded at Madison Hotel in Surry Hills last February<\/p>\n

By ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORTS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA <\/p>\n

Published: 01:03 EST, 24 January 2026 | Updated: 01:03 EST, 24 January 2026 <\/p>\n

Troubled ex-NRL<\/a> star Nathan Merritt was involved in a street brawl in February last year which left other people in the vicinity ‘fear for their safety.’<\/p>\n

Merritt, 42, got in a fight\u00a0outside a Sydney sports bar with multiple men that left him bloodied and knocked to the ground, court documents revealed.<\/p>\n

The former South Sydney winger was at the Madison Hotel in Surry Hills on February 16, 2025 when an altercation started between Merritt and a group of men he didn’t know.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Merritt was left bleeding from the head and mouth with a ripped shirt following the incident.<\/p>\n

‘(Mr Merritt) did use unlawful violence towards (one) unknown victim by conduct such that a person of reasonable firmness, if present at the scene, would have feared for their safety,’ court documents stated.<\/p>\n

The fight was sparked after security attempted to remove an unknown man from the venue about 6am, a statement of agreed facts revealed.<\/p>\n

\"Troubled <\/p>\n

Troubled former NRL star Nathan Merritt was involved in a street brawl in February last year which left other people in the vicinity ‘fear for their safety’ (pictured, playing for South Sydney in 2014)<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The former South Sydney winger was at the Madison Hotel in Surry Hills on February 16, 2025 when an altercation erupted started between Merritt and a group of men he didn’t know (he is pictured, with rapper Snoop Dogg)<\/p>\n

The man instigated a physical altercation with a group unknown to Merritt on Chalmers and Devonshire St.<\/p>\n

He then targeted Merritt, gesturing ‘aggressively’ at the former Rabbitohs player.<\/p>\n

He managed to break free from the security guards and advanced towards Merritt, who himself ran at the man.<\/p>\n

The ex-winger threw one punch before\u00a0he was knocked to the ground outside the Royal Exhibition Hotel.<\/p>\n

Merritt’s shirt was torn by a second man who punched him in the head.<\/p>\n

He was then captured on CCTV approaching the two men, with one again punching the South Sydney legend in the head.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A third man also punched Merritt before security intervened.<\/p>\n

Merritt was arrested and cautioned at Mascot Police Station two days later when police asked him to present himself.<\/p>\n

\"Ex <\/p>\n

Ex Rabbitohs star Nathan Merritt was allegedly caught drink-driving in April last year<\/p>\n

He has pleaded guilty to one count of affray, with the\u00a0matter next due before the Downing Centre Local Court on February 11.<\/p>\n

It comes as Merritt was caught drink-driving in April of 2025<\/a>\u00a0in Sydney’s inner-west and also was charged by police after he allegedly assaulted his wife outside a licensed venue last year.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Merritt was rushed to hospital in 2023 and placed on life support after he was found unconscious in his aunt’s home.<\/p>\n

He had claimed he had come down with a double bout of pneumonia and added he was ‘lucky to be alive’ after being placed in a coma.<\/p>\n

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