North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis is on the road to recovery following a life-saving lung surgery after a dramatic turn of events during a post-season holiday in Bali. Curtis, who was vacationing with his Kangaroos teammates, faced a medical emergency that required immediate attention and a swift evacuation to Australia.
The ordeal began when Curtis, who had been traveling from London to Bali, arrived in Indonesia with severe health concerns. Despite being on antibiotics for pneumonia, his condition worsened, leading to significant swelling of his face and feet, accompanied by a rash. The alarming symptoms prompted Curtis to contact North Melbourne’s club doctor, Kendall Brooks, who arranged for a medical assessment in Bali.
Diagnosis and Emergency Evacuation
Upon examination, Curtis was diagnosed with empyema, a serious condition characterized by the accumulation of pus around the lungs. “They pretty much just said if I was anyone else, not a fit, young, healthy man, I’d be in a bit of strife,” Curtis recounted on the Kangaroos’ website.
Recognizing the life-threatening nature of the condition, Dr. Brooks swiftly organized Curtis’s medical evacuation to Hollywood Private Hospital in Perth. There, Curtis underwent urgent surgery the morning after his arrival, where doctors removed a litre of pus from his lungs. He spent eight days in the hospital, followed by a recovery period in Western Australia.
“[This was] a serious, very serious life-threatening illness and he could have died from this,” Dr. Clay Colledge told 7News.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
North Melbourne officials credit Curtis’s fitness and age as crucial factors in his survival, allowing him to endure the wait for surgery. “They cut me open, and they were just draining out all the liquid and scraping it off the side of my lungs,” Curtis said. “It was pretty scary and shout out to the doctors and physios. They were tremendous.”
Despite the severity of his condition, Curtis is optimistic about returning to the field. The talented forward, who scored 38 goals in 19 games in 2026, is hopeful of playing in round one of the upcoming season. North’s rehabilitation specialist, Tanya Paunovic, highlighted the challenges Curtis faced in restoring his lung capacity.
“He’s had to do a hell of a lot of work at his own pace to get back,” Paunovic said. “To see him back training and playing footy is pretty amazing.”
Curtis’s motivation to recover was fueled by his desire to be there for his young son, Elijah. “I knew I had to be healthy first to obviously provide for him,” Curtis expressed. “I’m just so grateful for the people that helped me get back to where I am now.”
Geelong Star’s Gaelic Football Triumph
Meanwhile, Geelong’s Mark O’Connor celebrated a personal milestone, achieving a boyhood dream by helping his hometown Dingle win the All-Ireland club Gaelic football final in Dublin. The thrilling victory was witnessed by a crowd of 25,392, including O’Connor’s Geelong teammates who made a special trip from Melbourne to support him.
O’Connor, who extended his stay in Ireland for the final, expressed gratitude to the Cats for their support. “It feels like a dream to be honest,” he told SmallerFishGAA.ie. “Looking up and seeing my Geelong teammates sitting next to my family at Croke Park in the red and white of Dingle is probably something I did not even dream of as a kid.”
“If they weren’t the way they were I wouldn’t still be in Australia, and I am just so grateful to them,” O’Connor said.
The victory was not without controversy, as Dingle secured the win by one point after trailing at halftime, with the final scores coming in extra time. O’Connor’s celebrations will be short-lived as he prepares to return to Geelong, balancing his achievements in both Australian and Gaelic football.
Future Implications
As Paul Curtis continues his recovery, the incident underscores the importance of timely medical intervention and the role of physical fitness in overcoming health crises. His story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of health emergencies, even for professional athletes.
Looking ahead, Curtis’s return to the field will be closely watched by fans and teammates alike, with hopes high for his successful comeback. Meanwhile, Mark O’Connor’s dual achievements highlight the unique cultural exchange between Australian Rules and Gaelic football, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and support across sports.
