A park rugby league player for the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies in New South Wales is recovering in a Wollongong hospital after being struck down by a heart attack on the field.
In a display of astonishing resilience and love for the game Michael Blattner, a reserve-grade player for the Magpies, suffered the heart attack during a recent match but still managed to walk to the bench under his own power.
The 49-year-old prop forward, affectionately known as ‘Blatts,’ even expressed his desire to return to the game later on, prompting his teammates to marvel at his determination.
‘He smashed a pie, a coke and some red frogs and was ready to get back out there,’ Magpies reserve grade coach Marcus Rogers said.
‘Everyone talked him out of it though.’
Blattner, undeterred by his heart attack scare, drove himself to the hospital, where medical professionals confirmed the seriousness of his condition.
An angiogram revealed blockages in five of his arteries, with one artery dangerously constricted at an alarming 99 percent.
Michael Blattner was playing reserve grade for the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies in New South Wales when he suffered the heart attack
The 49-year-old footy player is now recovering in Wollongong Hospital and will require triple bypass surgery
Amazingly, Blattner walked off the field, asked to be put back into the game and drove himself to hospital following the medical incident
The rugby league community, known for its tight-knit camaraderie, wasted no time rallying around their beloved teammate.
Blattner’s family set up a GoFundMe page to support his recovery, with an initial goal of $5,000. Astonishingly, the page has already received an outpouring of generosity, surpassing the target and raising $7780 from 107 donations at the time of writing.
Describing Blattner’s lifelong commitment to the sport, the heartfelt GoFundMe page emphasises his remarkable achievements.
‘Mick has been playing rugby league for over 40 years,’ it states.
‘We as Michael’s children are looking to ease the financial stress for Mick by setting up a GoFundMe page. The funds will go directly to Michael to assist with his long road to recovery.’
The news of Blattner’s health scare spread rapidly across social media, prompting an outpouring of support from the Group 7 Senior Rugby League community.
A Facebook post from the league urged everyone to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, highlighting Blattner’s status as a Group 7 legend with a decorated rugby league career spanning multiple clubs and numerous first-grade premierships.
Responding to the overwhelming support, Blattner’s son, Kealen, expressed deep gratitude.
‘He is very thankful for everyone who has donated or shared. We as a family are beyond appreciative for all the support he has received,’ Kealen commented on the Facebook post.
He also expressed hope that his father would one day contribute to the game in a coaching or training capacity.
Blattner is a much-loved member of the local rugby league community and has also spent time coaching
Blattner has rugby league in his blood and will likely continue coaching at the Magpies when he fully recovers
Coach Marcus Rogers hailed Blattner as a ‘great bloke who had given so much to the game we love,’ praising his incredible agility on the field despite his age.
Rogers commended Blattner’s energy, passion, and wealth of knowledge, highlighting his significant contributions to the team this season.
Blattner’s daughter, Jasmin Boyd, took to the GoFundMe page to recount the harrowing experience. She described her father’s unwavering toughness and dedication to the game, emphasizing his miraculous recovery from the heart attack.
Boyd revealed that her father, despite his initial intentions to return to the match, was now preparing for a triple bypass surgery, which will require an expected recovery period of 8 to 10 weeks.
‘Mick was the first grade captain coach in 2003 and in 2004 when Berry made the grand final, was a player in seasons 2011, 12, 13 and 2023 and has coached Berry under 18s in the past,’ the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies RLFC posted in a statement.
‘The Magpies community wishes Mick a speedy and full recovery, we will post any updates as they come through.’
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