Former North Melbourne player Cameron Thurley is on the road to recovery after emerging from a coma in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The 31-year-old, who played five games for the Kangaroos in 2006, has been in an induced coma for 23-days after a fall at Hobart’s Observatory Bar nightclub.

An MRI scan cleared Thurley of major damage.

"He's very weak obviously after 23-days but he'll get stronger each day now and he'll face the issues as they arise," his father John told The Mercury.

"He recognises us and that's a very big plus and hopefully he'll just improve and improve.”

The captain of Clarence Football Club, Thurley’s courage has already drawn comparisons to his on-field persona.

"He's got a long road in front of him but he'll fight through it. He's got damage to his frontal lobe area but he'll get through that.

"He's going to be in hospital for quite a while, that's what they've always said and it is going to be a long road to recovery but he's got a lot of support and good care."

Meanwhile, North Melbourne has thrown its support behind Ricky Bannister, the brother of former AFL player and umpire Jordan.

Involved in a horse riding accident in April, he fractured his vertebrae. Last month, Ricky and his wife Emily became first-time parents.

His brave battle is being supported by North’s Assistant Recruiting Manager Mark Finnigan and several players, who will participate in Movember to raise funds for his long-time friend and his family.

To read Ricky’s story, click here
To donate to the Ricky Bannister Recover fund, click here