Jock Maurirere is currently recovering in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital and was moved from ICU on Thursday. His condition has been listed as stable.

Jock plays rugby union for the the Manning River Ratz in the Lower North Coast competition, where his elder brother, Jake, is the coach.

“He’s lucky to be alive,’’ Jake said from Newcastle, where he has been since Sunday morning.

Jock was visiting a unit in Hunter Street when he fell about 18 metres from the balcony about 12.30am on Sunday.

Jake said a metal awning helped break the fall and saved his life.

"Otherwise he would have landed on concrete,’’ he said.

Jock has suffered extensive injuries including a fractured spine, bleeding on the brain, broken ribs and a punctured lung. He has more than 50 staples inserted into his head.

He attended a family function to celebrate a niece’s birthday last Saturday before heading to Newcastle with mates for the This That music festival. Jake said in recent months Jock has been alternating between, Taree, Newcastle and the Central Coast, where his mother lives, looking for permanent work.

Jake received a call at 1.30am on Sunday from police informing him of Jock's accident and headed straight to Newcastle, as did other family members.

Jake said his brother’s rugby union days are now over.

“He’s got more to worry about than playing rugby,’’ he said.

“This is going to be a long recovery.’’

Jake added the family has been overwhelmed by messages of support, particularly from the Ratz club, since the accident. Some team-mates have visited him in hospital.

“We’re like a family at the Ratz,’’ Jake said.

“We look after each other.’’

The Ratz will donate all proceeds from the Friday night raffles at the Exchange Hotel to the Maurirere family to help offset Jock's medical costs. The raffles will start at 6pm.