First responders ‘saved his life’ after footy player hurt in ‘freak accident’
A Melbourne Aussie rules club is reeling after a “freak accident” left a beloved playing fighting for life.
Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, was injured in what was described as a tackle gone wrong shortly before 1pm during the men’s reserves Northern Football Netball League match between Epping and Lalor at Lalor Reserve on Saturday.
A 27-year-old was injured in what was described as a tackle gone wrong. 9News
Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis said the injured man and a second Epping player clashed heads while trying to tackle a Lalor player, before the Fitzgerald hit his head on the covered cricket pitch.
De Vincentis said the pitch had been covered in synthetic turf, a relatively common move, and it was “literally just a freak accident”.
“I'd really love to highlight just how incredible the first responders were,” he said.
“The medical team from Epping and Lalor, essentially their intervention has, from what we’ve been told by emergency services, actually saved his life.”
The small defender and midfielder was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and the game was abandoned.
The president said Fitzgerald suffered a bleed on the brain and underwent surgery on Saturday.
He remained on life support with his family by his side on Sunday.
The club’s players and supporters were “pretty shaken up” but went ahead with a function because they thought it was important for everyone to be around each other.
“We're okay,” De Vincentis said.
“The support’s been incredible from within and abroad, so yeah, we’re kind of just leveraging all the love and support coming our way, and you know, we’re a family club, so a very tight-knit club, so everyone’s just kind of wrapping their arms around each other.”
The 27-year-old was injured at Lalor Reserve in Melbourne's north on Saturday. Supplied
He described Fitzgerald as “tenacious as anything” and “courage personified” on the field but the complete opposite off it.
“He’s the nicest, loveliest, most gentle person,” he said.
“Which is one of the reasons why it’s really hard as well, because he’s a really loved club character, club person, but you know, on field just as tough as they come.”
Epping was up 11.5 (71) to 2.4 (16) in the third quarter at the time, according to an online match centre.
Epping said the following game between the clubs’ senior sides was also abandoned.
Epping said the following game between the clubs’ senior sides was also abandoned. 9News
“We’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the incident that occurred today during the Epping v Lalor Reserves game, which has resulted in the abandonment of both the Reserves and Senior games,” the club said in a post on social media.
“For now, we keep everyone involved in our sincerest thoughts and sincerely thank everyone who assisted during and after the incident.
“A very big thank you to Lalor for all of your support.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said its crews responded to the incident at 12.55pm on Saturday.
“Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics attended the scene,” the spokesperson said.
“One person believed to be in a critical condition has been transported by road ambulance to The Royal Melbourne Hospital.”
Those linked to the club shared messages of support for Fitzgerald.
“One of the best blokes and toughest I know praying for a full recovery brother,” one said, on its Facebook page.
Another said she was “sending positive vibes” for a healthy recovery and thinking of his family.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was no evidence a criminal offence had occurred.
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