A local footballer has entered end-of-life care following a tragic on-field incident during a match in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, was playing for Epping against Lalor in a Northern Football Netball League reserves game when he sustained head injuries.
Fitzgerald collided with a teammate, causing him to hit his head on the ground. He received CPR from medical teams of both clubs before being rushed to hospital in critical condition. Since his admission, his condition has deteriorated.
"We are 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 Epping Football Netball Club said in a statement. "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 & kiss your loved ones; life is precious."
Epping president Luke de Vincentis told ABC that Fitzgerald appeared to have suffered multiple blows to the head in the incident. De Vincentis also noted that Fitzgerald's head struck a synthetic cricket pitch, as the facility is shared among multiple sports.
"We don't have the luxury of having dedicated cricket ovals, and AFL ovals or soccer pitches, so we have to make use with the facilities we have," De Vincentis said. "Cricket pitches in the middle of an oval, particularly where Aussie Rules is played, do pose a significant risk. Hopefully it's something (improved facilities) that can be explored, and there can be a better outcome in terms of how it's facilitated moving forward."
The game was abandoned in the third quarter following the incident, and Epping's senior game was also subsequently called off. Victoria Police stated that there was no evidence of criminality involved in the incident.