HE WAS JUST PLAYING THE GAME HE LOVED… – An Epping footballer is now receiving end-of-life care after suffering a devastating head injury, with his condition reportedly deteriorating overnight.
Tragedy as Epping footballer on ‘end-of-life care’ after head injury
The football club have released a heartbreaking statement after the player, who suffered a head injury, saw his condition deteriorate overnight.
A suburban footballer is tragically receiving end-of-life care after suffering a head injury during an Aussie Rules game in Melbourne on Saturday.
School teacher Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, clashed heads with a teammate during Epping Football Netball Club’s reserve match with Lalor in the Northern Football League.
Now, one day after the accident, Epping have confirmed the horrific news that Fitzgerald’s health deteriorated overnight.
The statement read: “The Epping Football Netball Club is devastated to share that our much loved teammate & clubman, Nathan Fitzgerald’s condition deteriorated overnight and is now receiving end-of-life care.
Nathan Fitzgerald was playing for the Epping reserves against Lalor when he clashed heads with a teammate
“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.
“’34 – Forever Fitzy’.”
Club president Luke De Vincentis explained the extent of the head collision, saying: “[There were] two to three significant knocks in the one motion.
“The extent of what happened is completely rare and was really foreign territory for everyone to navigate.”
De Vincentis also claimed it looked as though Fitzgerald’s head hit part of the cricket pitch — which was covered up by grass on the football field.
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Immediately after the collision, medical staff from both clubs rushed onto the field to attend to Fitzgerald, and CPR was performed until paramedics arrived at Lalor Reserve at 1pm.
He arrived at hospital in a critical condition.
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Opening up about Fitzgerald, De Vincentis added: “He’s a really softly spoken, gentle young man who loves the club and loves his teammates.
“And 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.”
