Footballers honour young Victorian player killed in freak accident
Family members and friends of a young Victorian footballer have honoured him one week after the on-field tragedy that claimed his life.
Nathan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald died in hospital two days after sustaining critical head injuries during a reserves match between Epping and Lalor football clubs at Lalor Reserve in Melbourne’s north on Saturday, July 4.
Fitzy’s Dad Gary Fitzgerald speaking flanked by the family. The Age
His family gathered at his beloved Epping Football Club today surrounded by hundreds of mourners who paused to remember the 27-year-old.
His loved ones walked through a guard of honour in the first time they have emerged publicly since his death.
“It teaches us a lesson about life, how precious life is, because you just don’t know,” Nathan’s father Gary Fitzgerald said.
The 27-year-old’s team and their opponents from last weekend stood as one on the field.
“I guess with tragedy comes unification and the club and the community has rallied beyond words,” Epping Football Club president Luke De Vincentis said.
For the 27-year-old, Saturdays were written for footy and his mates.
The defender ran onto Lalor Reserve last weekend not knowing it would be his last match.
“We haven’t been blind to the fact that so many people have been impacted by the event,” Fitzgerald’s father said.
His family said their faith has sustained them through the grief.
The crowd paused for a moment’s silence.
Nathan Fitzgerald died in hospital two days after sustaining critical head injuries during a reserves match between Epping and Lalor football clubs at Lalor Reserve in Melbourne’s north. Supplied
As Epping’s senior side took to the field, the footballer’s reserve team all voted not to play this weekend as the trauma is too raw.
Tomorrow the team will step onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) alongside Richmond and Melbourne to form a guard of honour for their mate.
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