The telltale sign Souths great Nathan Merritt was struggling with a serious illness before he ended up fighting for his life in hospital

Footy star turned boxing great Anthony Mundine has claimed former Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt was struggling with a serious illness prior to suffering an adverse reaction to prescribed pain medication that almost killed him.

Merritt, 40, is still fighting for his life in a Sydney hospital – and the man affectionately known as ‘Choc’ claims the prolific try-scorer also had a bout of pneumonia prior to collapsing at his aunt’s house. 

‘He didn’t know he had it,’ Mundine told the Daily Telegraph. 

‘He kept asking for his puffer every 10 minutes [at the recent Koori Knockout footy tournament on the NSW central coast] because he was finding it hard to breathe.’

Merritt was found unresponsive last Friday and has been on life support at Sydney Royal Prince Alfred Hospital ever since.

Merritt, 40, is still fighting for his life in a Sydney hospital – and the man affectionately known as ‘Choc’ said the prolific tryscorer also had a bout of pneumonia 

On Tuesday, his family issued an update, confirming the former NRL star’s condition had ‘slightly’ improved.

Merritt’s sister Teanne revealed his condition was still critical.

But she warned her brother still isn’t out of the woods yet and has a challenging journey ahead of him.

Hospital visitors, apart from immediate family and close friends such as Mundine and Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr, remain off-limits.

‘We have been advised that Nathan is improving slightly but he has a long road to recovery,’ Teanne posted on Facebook.

‘We thank everyone, family and friends that have come up to visit Nathan and all the well wishes and kind words from all. ‘Thank you all for your ongoing love and support.’

It comes after the Rabbitohs finally broke their silence about Merritt’s situation five days after he was rushed to hospital.

‘Out of respect for the privacy of Nathan and the Merritt family, the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares have chosen not to comment on his situation up until now,’ the club said in a statement.

‘We are so happy to hear directly from his immediate family that Merro’s condition is improving.

‘He is being looked after by the best medical practitioners, and he is in the thoughts of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs.

‘It will be a slow recovery, but it’s a battle he’s in with all of our support. Keep fighting hard with that South Sydney spirit, Merro! You’re always a Rabbitoh! #974’.

Merritt, who hung up his boots in 2014 after 237 fist grade games, is considered one of the greatest players in the club’s decorated history.

Born and raised in Redfern, he started his journey in football as a junior player with the Alexandria Rovers in the South Sydney junior competition.

After his retirement, the father of five channelled his passion for the sport into a cause close to his heart, establishing the Nathan Merritt Foundation dedicated to offering guidance and support to Indigenous youth in Sydney.

Lifeline 13 11 14; beyondblue 1300 22 4636; 13YARN 13 92 76; Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905