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🇦🇺 Australia /Sports

Footballer's teammates to sit out next match after on-field death

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Teammates of a deceased Australian Rules footballer will sit out their next match following his death from catastrophic head injuries sustained on the field.
  • The club will hold a commemorative service for the 27-year-old player and teacher, while the AFL encourages all leagues to wear black armbands.
  • An investigation is underway into the incident, which involved the player suffering two head knocks before colliding with a cricket pitch on the multi-use oval.

The Epping Football Netball Club's reserves team will not play their upcoming match after player Nathan Fitzgerald died from severe head injuries sustained during a game on Saturday. Fitzgerald, a 27-year-old high school teacher, received two head knocks in quick succession before his head hit a cricket pitch on the Lalor Recreation Reserve oval.

In addition, the Melbourne Demons and Nathan's beloved Richmond Tigers will hold a minute's silence before their match on Sunday at the MCG.

— Andrew DillonAFL chief executive Andrew Dillon announced national tributes to the deceased player.

The club plans to hold a public commemorative service for Fitzgerald, known as "Fitzy" to his teammates, at the Epping Recreation Reserve this Saturday. Mernda Central College, where Fitzgerald taught, described him as an "exceptional young man."

In a wider show of respect, all 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands this weekend. AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon stated that a minute's silence will be held before the Melbourne Demons and Richmond Tigers match on Sunday. The AFL will also encourage all community football leagues nationwide to observe this tribute.

I wanted back to give to the footy community like the footy community is giving to the family and Epping football club, who are grieving and suffering greatly at the moment.

— Mark LunnMark Lunn, who donated tribute banners, explained his motivation for supporting the grieving club.

More than half a dozen Victorian football clubs are expected to run through tribute banners at their matches. Mark Lunn, who runs a banner printing business in South Australia, donated banners to support the Epping club and Fitzgerald's family, stating he wanted to give back to the community.

We all know a cricket pitch and a football pitch don't belong together.

— Matthew FitzgeraldNathan Fitzgerald's younger brother questioned the safety of multi-use sporting grounds.

Fitzgerald's death has prompted a review of how cricket pitches are covered on multi-use sporting ovals. His younger brother, Matthew, questioned whether current guidelines are sufficient, noting that while the council followed procedures, the safety of covering cricket pitches on football ovals needs broader assessment. WorkSafe is investigating the incident.

If a tragedy does happen, we want to become comfortable that we've done everything we can.

— Matthew FitzgeraldNathan Fitzgerald's younger brother called for a thorough assessment of safety measures on sporting ovals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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