Nathan Fitzgerald, a school teacher and reserve grade footballer with the Epping Football Netball Club, is receiving end-of-life care after suffering severe head injuries during an Aussie rules game on Saturday.
The 27-year-old was playing for Epping reserves against Lalor at Lalor Reserve in Melbourne’s north when he was injured in a tackle involving a teammate. The ABC reports that Fitzgerald clashed heads with a teammate during the tackle, while News Corp reports that he hit his head on the cricket pitch.
Club trainers and paramedics are reported to have carried out CPR and defibrillation for almost an hour before Fitzgerald was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is understood to have undergone emergency brain surgery on Saturday night.
By Sunday night, his family was holding a vigil at his bedside as his condition declined.
In a Facebook statement, the Epping Football Netball Club announced the devastating update.
“The Epping Football Netball Club is devastated to share that our much-loved teammate and clubman, Nathan Fitzgerald’s condition deteriorated overnight and is now receiving end-of-life care,” the club posted on Facebook.
“The entire Fitzgerald family is in our thoughts during this horrible situation and we ask that you respect their privacy.
“Please take a moment to hug and kiss your loved ones; life is precious.”
The club ended the post with “34 — Forever Fitzy”, a reference to Fitzgerald’s playing number.
Fitzgerald had been part of Epping for several years. Club president Luke De Vincentis told the ABC that it appeared Fitzgerald struck his head more than once in the incident.
“[There were] two to three significant knocks in the one motion,” he said.
“The extent of what happened is completely rare and was really foreign territory for everyone to navigate.”
De Vincentis said Fitzgerald had been with the club for years and was deeply valued by those around him.
“He’s a really softly spoken, gentle young man who loves the club and loves his teammates,” De Vincentis said.
“It’s a mutual feeling, so that makes it all the more difficult to deal with.
“The club, both Epping and Lalor, really wrapped their arms around each other at the game, and the support by both clubs was really heartwarming.”
Tributes flooded social media from supporters and other local football clubs.
Mernda Football Club said that while sides may compete against each other, they remain “one community”.
“In moments like these, the game takes a back seat as we come together to support one another,” the club posted.
“To the Fitzgerald family, we send our deepest condolences, strength, and love. To everyone at Epping Football Club, please know that the entire Mernda Football Club stands beside you. Our thoughts are with you all today and in the days and weeks ahead.”
Among those paying tribute was Aadesh Narayan, who said on Facebook he was “absolutely devastated”.
“Nathan Fitzgerald was one of the most down to earth and genuine blokes I’ve ever met. I worked with him at Woolworths Plenty Valley for many years,” he wrote.
“He radiated good energy that was contagious. Always had a smile on his face. When I ran into him a couple of months ago, we had a good chat and he was still radiating that pure and wholesome energy.
“A hard-working man with so much ahead of him. I am truly heartbroken hearing this news.”
