The rugby league community is rallying around a local legend after a scary incident last weekend when he collapsed during a game.
Michael Blattner, who plays reserve grade for the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies in the Group 7 Rugby League Senior competition, had an on-field heart attack early in the match but, miraculously, got up on his own and walked to the bench.
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The 49-year-old then wanted to return to the match later in the game, however, he was convinced by the coaching staff and committee that it was not a good idea.
“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 drove himself to hospital and was told by doctor’s that he suffered a heart attack.
The big prop forward undertook an angiogram test which discovered he had blockages in five of his arteries, with one as bad as 99 per cent.
Blattner will undergo a triple bypass surgery and will be unable to work with an expected recovery period of between 8-10 weeks.
Blattner’s family have set up a gofundme page and have already raised $6620 (at the time of writing) from 94 donations, well above the $5000 goal.
“Mick has been playing rugby league for over 40 years. Mick grew up in Bondi and started out as a junior for Bondi United,” the gofundme page said.
“Mick won his first first-grade grand final with Bondi United at 18 years and was named man of the match.
“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.”
Group 7 Senior Rugby League took to social media to offer their well wishes to the rugby league great.
“Get well soon Blatts,” a Facebook post read.
“One of the true iron men in our game Mick Blattner had a serious health incident at Berry Showground last weekend.
“Blatts is not only a Group 7 legend, but has played rugby league for over 40 years with multiple first grade premierships at Milton-Ulladulla, Nowra Bomaderry Jets and Shellharbour Sharks.
“Due to this unexpected medical emergency Mick will be unable to work … We are reaching out to the rugby league family to lend the Blattners any support by donating to the gofundme page which is in our bio and on our Facebook page.”
A family member replied to the post and thanked the rugby league community for their support.
“On behalf of dad, thank you to Group 7 and the community for getting behind him,” son Kealen Blattner commented on the post.
“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.
“We will hopefully see Mick on the sidelines in a coaching/trainer role in the future!”
Rogers said Blattner was a “great bloke who had given so much to the game we love” and, despite his age, was one of the top try scorers for the team this season.
“I’ve never met someone of his age who can still move on the football field like he does,” Rogers said.
“He brings such energy and passion to the team and such a wealth of knowledge.”