Tributes flow for Epping Football Club player who died after pitch accident
Updated ,first published
Standing outside Epping’s clubrooms, Matthew Fitzgerald’s breath could be seen in the cold Melbourne air.
It had been less than 24 hours since his brother Nathan had died in the hospital, and nearly three days since the field accident that had landed Nathan there.
The 27-year-old suffered three consecutive head knocks while playing for Epping Football Club’s reserve team against Lalor on Saturday; injuries that could be fatal.
Observers saw Nathan hit his head on the indoor concrete cricket pitch. His death has been referred to the Coroner’s Court for inquest and may require a review of site security.
Matthew said he would support a review.
“We all know that a cricket field and a football field do not belong together,” he said.
Matthew was working when the accident happened and he didn’t know that watching the Socceroos together at 4am that morning would be the last time he would see his brother conscious.
“That was the last thing we did together; me, Nathan and my dad. It’s a very special moment. It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” he said.
Matthew said Nathan, the oldest of four siblings, including himself and his two sisters, lived for his family.
“He called me Friday morning, I was at work,” Matthew recalled. “In the conversation we asked, ‘How do you do this, how do you get up at 5 a.m. every day?’ he said.
“He always admired people and always said, ‘I’m proud of you’… We can all learn something [from] How was Nathan? Appreciate every moment you spend with your loved ones. Love your family. That’s what Nathan did.”
Wearing the football jersey his brother wore last season with number 34 on the back (now retired), Matthew’s eyes filled with tears as he hugged club chairman Luke De Vincentis.
Speaking to the media later, De Vincentis said, “There is no manual that tells you how to act in a situation like this.”
“I always wanted to be president of this club, this club that I’ve been a part of since I was eight years old, and I never thought I’d have to deal with something like this.
“People handle emotions quite differently. Some players are open about how influential emotions are. [they are] struggling… Others are putting up a brave front… But overall shock and how rare this condition is has delayed its realization. “Now it’s starting to sink in a little more with the news of his death.”
Epping Football Netball Club is still figuring out how to move forward. Players, coaches and medical staff will meet Tuesday night to decide whether to proceed with this weekend’s home games against Heidelberg West and South Morang. Epping’s home ground has an indoor concrete cricket pitch identical to Lalor’s, where an eyewitness saw Nathan hit his head.
The Northern Football Netball League said it could implement the changes over the weekend and was awaiting the club’s decision from tonight’s meeting to approve the plans.
De Vincentis said the vote had to be unanimous because they didn’t want to force anyone to play if they didn’t feel comfortable.
Either way, he said, a memorial service for Nathan Fitzgerald will be held Saturday morning and trauma counselors are available to those who need support.
Club secretary Gary Rakhlin, whose son played with Fitzgerald, described him as “tough and determined” but fair on the pitch and “kind and gentle” off the pitch.
“He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” she said. “What can I say? It’s not fair.”
At Mernda Central College, a few miles north, a steady stream of students were arriving to pay their respects to their teacher, better known as Fitzy, Mr Fitz or King Fitz. There was a growing pile of flowers at the front door, as well as candles, a teddy bear, a tie, a football, and a box of letters.
Cards affixed to dozens of bouquets read “thank you for everything” and “school will be so hard without you.”
“Nathan Fitzgerald had a smile that could light up a room and always put others first,” one student wrote.
12th grade student Dimitri Karatzas explained that the letters LLNF – “Long Live Nathan Fitzgerald” are found everywhere.
“He was a good guy,” said Karatzas, who trained with Fitzgerald several years ago. “He was so much more than a teacher. Many kids saw him as a friend they could talk to… Many students are sad that they won’t get to see them graduate.”
Macey Moderana, an 8th grader in one of Fitzgerald’s classes, recalled a time in school when she struggled with panic attacks.
He said he listened to her vent and then brainstormed solutions with her.
“He said he would come by at the end of the day and check if I was okay, and he actually did… And he would always check how I was doing when he passed me in the hallway,” Moderana said.
The football club’s fundraiser for the Fitzgerald family raised more than $100,000 in less than 24 hours. Matthew said he was touched by the family’s strong faith as well as the support that helps them get through each day.
Discussions continued regarding ground safety and the closure of cricket pitches at local venues following the death of Nathan Fitzgerald.
“I don’t think the leagues are going to close up shop anymore and play games until things are fixed, so until AFL Victoria, Cricket Victoria, local councils come together and work on a better solution than we have at the moment, it’s going to remain a risk,” De Vincentis said.
“You know, the current solution is within the guidelines, so no one is negligent here. Everyone is doing the right thing, but the guidelines need to change, and I think that’s as evident as ever after what happened over the weekend. And unfortunately, it often takes tragedy to enact change.”
The club chairman said he would like to see the AFL take more responsibility for player safety outside the top division.
“Let’s just say they don’t send Nick Daicos there,” he said.
Supporting the possibility of a safety review of cricket pitch pavements, Matthew Fitzgerald said: “We all know that a cricket pitch and a football pitch do not belong together.
“I think we took the opportunity to take advantage of that, because anything [coming into] We want to minimize contact with the head… [and] “We will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of the players.”
The AFL and Cricket Australia have common rules for synthetic surfaces at community venues.
Cricket Australia said it would consider any issues surrounding Fitzgerald’s death once the facts surrounding the incident are known. It does not have the authority to mandate the types of coverage used for synthetic fields.
“We share the sadness of everyone in the sports community about this tragic incident and extend our deepest condolences to Nathan’s family, friends and teammates,” a CA spokesperson said.
“Once all relevant information becomes available we will consider any matters relating to the circumstances.”
Victorian football authorities say premier league matches should not be played on grounds where cricket pitches are located, but the rules are less strict for community football.
“Ideally football pitches should not include a cricket pitch and, if possible, should be strategically located so that the wicket is not on the pitch surface,” Football Victoria’s guidelines state.
“This will eliminate the potential risk of injury associated with wicket-keeping on the surface and will also eliminate the need to cover a concrete pitch to make it safe to play on.”
The AFL has not announced any review into facility standards and has not responded to specific questions about player safety put to it by this byline, saying its immediate priority is to support those affected by Fitzgerald’s death.
However, a senior AFL source, who was not prepared to be quoted because the facts of the incident have not been established, said existing safety thresholds for pitch coverings would be reviewed. They said there was no suggestion that the Lalor Reserve site did not meet standards.
Players from all 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands in their matches this weekend and there will be a minute’s silence before Melbourne face the Tigers at the MCG. The AFL will also encourage community football leagues and clubs across the country to honor Fitzgerald by wearing black armbands at local matches this weekend.
Matthew said Nathan was “all yellow and black” and thanked Richmond Football Club for contacting the family directly and offering their condolences.
In a statement, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said his thoughts were with Fitzgerald’s family and everyone affected by his death.
“Nathan’s death deeply saddened everyone in the football community,” he said.
“In times like these, football is about much more than the game itself. It’s about coming together and supporting each other.”
The memorials planned across AFL and community football this weekend are expected to be one of the largest coordinated tributes to a grassroots footballer in recent years and reflect the impact that Fitzgerald’s death has had at all levels of the game. Other codes are also expected to pay tribute.
WorkSafe Victoria said the incident had been reported and inspectors were investigating to determine what further action might be required.
At a City of Melbourne council meeting on Tuesday night, Mayor Nick Reece asked how many of the city’s ovals were covered in concrete pitches. Acting CEO Rick Kwasek said he is aware of nine multi-use pitches and they are under review.
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CORRECTION
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Lord Mayor Nick Reece was asked and answered a question about indoor concrete pitches at a council meeting. He actually put the question to council staff.
Bridget McArthur is a sports events reporter for The Age, covering the intersection of sport and politics/business/economy/society.Connect with: X or email.
Sam McClure is an award-winning AFL journalist and broadcaster.Connect with: X or email.
Daniel Brettig is The Age’s chief cricket writer and the author of many books on cricket.Connect with: X.
