Former NRL stars send well wishes to Matt Utai after drive-by shooting
Bulldogs great Reni Maitua has given an update on club hero Matt Utai, confirming he's in a critical but stable condition after being shot twice in a drive-by shooting.
The former Bulldogs winger received gunshot wounds to his upper torso and lower legs in an ambush outside his family home in Greenacre, in south-western Sydney, about 6am on Tuesday.
Utai was able to speak with officers when they arrived at the scene before he was treated by paramedics and taken to St George Hospital in a serious condition.
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Superintendent Rod Hart said the attack was a "brazen ambush" as Utai left his home for work.
Speaking on BTFU's 180 podcast, Maitua said he had been providing updates to former teammates through someone close that he wasn't willing to name.
Matt Utai and Reni Maitua. Getty/BTFU
"It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, there was a lot of different information out there," he said.
"He's got a long road ahead, he is critical but this morning he's stable. It's been a bit of a draining 24 hours emotionally, that's for sure."
Maitua added "it's very early" and he wasn't sure about Utai's short-term health.
"I thought things were quite positive and then it changed but he is stable," he said.
Podcast host and former teammate Braith Anasta shared his well wishes.
"We love you, we're thinking about you, we hope you pull through," he said.
"Thoughts with you and your friends and family. It's a terrible time, and we just pray to God he gets through it."
Matt Utai scores for the Bulldogs. Getty
Former Bulldogs Willie Mason and Hazem El Masri also posted on Instagram offering their thoughts and prayers to Utai and his family.
Since retiring from the NRL, Utai has worked as a tradesman.
Police are investigating whether Utai's son Iziah's alleged links to the Alameddine crime network could have been the reason behind the shooting.
