What happens when a player suffering major illness is allegedly involved in a crime?
What if that player received an outpouring of public sympathy?
What if members of the public even donated money to assist with his treatment?
Nathan Merritt may give us the answer.
The former NRL player is alleged to have been involved in a crime just months after fans sympathised with news of his cancer diagnosis, and he may have earned another nomination for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes: the men’s and women’s National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Noah Balta is the most recent recipient.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
Merritt has been charged with possessing a replica pistol and having cocaine after initially being suspected of links to a ram raid robbery in Sydney CBD.
The Rabbitohs and Sharks icon has terminal cancer of the liver and oesophagus, and in April he revealed he has just 12 months to live. On Good Friday, 2026, Merritt rang the Legacy Bell for South Sydney before their game against the Bulldogs. Fans showed their support for the former winger, and Souths CEO Blake Solly said of Merritt:
“Our members and fans loved what Nathan achieved on the field, and he was always a crowd favourite here. Everyone at the Rabbitohs were shocked when his diagnosis was announced, and we were inundated with offers of support.”
In 2022, Merritt earned his first Frownlow nomination after pleading guilty to common assault. He was intoxicated and had been asked to leave a premises. Instead of thanking the guard who tried to help him get home, Merritt reportedly punched him in the head about six times within thirty seconds.
The former try-scoring machine was then arrested and was eventually given a 24-month conditional release order under which he must continue alcohol counselling and see a psychologist.
We will soon find out what happens to the sympathy he received on Good Friday.
Image: Getty Images
