South Sydney great Nathan Merritt is back talking, sitting up and getting out of bed, two-and-a-half weeks after collapsing and being placed on life support.
Merritt was rushed to hospital and placed on life support when he was found unresponsive in his aunt's home on October 6.
The 40-year-old awoke from his coma one week later. He remains in Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and has shown signs of improvement, the Rabbitohs said on Monday.
In an update on social media, the club confirmed Merritt was now able to get out of bed and had begun talking again.
"Some great news regarding Nathan Merritt," Souths posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"Nath is now able to get out of bed, sit up and speak to people!
"He is recovering well and progressing every day, but has a long way to go to a full recovery.
"Merro asked us to thank all of the Rabbitohs fans for their support and prayers. It means so much to him."
Merritt's collapsed is believed to have been triggered by an adverse reaction to prescribed pain-killers.
The former Souths flyer had played in the Koori Knockout one week prior to the medical episode.
One of the most beloved figures in modern Souths history, Merritt is the club's second-most prolific try-scorer.
A Redfern junior, Merritt's 154 tries are the equal 12th-most in the history of top-flight Australian rugby league.
