Former Bulldogs star Mark O’Meley ‘resuscitated’ by doctors after suffering a ‘cardiac arrest during an operation on his back’

Former Bulldogs and New South Wales prop Mark O’Meley reportedly had to be ‘resuscitated’ by doctors after he ‘went into cardiac arrest’ during an operation on his back but is reportedly doing ‘OK’. 

The news was revealed by his former Bulldogs team-mate Willie Mason while speaking on his Levels podcast with Justin Horo. Mason sent his well-wishes to his old team-mate and his family during the podcast. 

O’Meley, 43, enjoyed a distinguished playing career in rugby league, winning the premiership in 2004 with Canterbury alongside Mason.  

Affectionately nicknamed ‘the Ogre’, O’Meley played for the Roosters before moving to the UK to play for Hull FC. He would announce he was hanging up his boots in 2014, but would come back out of retirement one year later.  

‘Big Ogre [O’Meley] just called me,’ Mason said during the latest episode of the Levels podcast. 

‘Can I say something about Ogre? Shout out to Ogre, he had an operation on his back and he went into cardiac arrest.’

‘I’m only saying this as Sandy [O’Meley’s partner] put it on Facebook. He’s OK.

‘But shout out to Big Ogre and the family. I love you mate. And yeah it was scary when he wrote the message when he found out yesterday. 

‘He was on the bed and they had to resuscitate him. Scary bro. At least he’s alright. Big man, take care of yourself mate.’

‘Thoughts are with his family,’ Horo added. 

More to follow…