The president of the Epping Football Netball Club, Luke De Vincentis, hopes a rethink is in order into how cricket pitches are covered at multipurpose sporting ovals after one of the club's much loved players, Nathan Fitzgerald, sadly passed away after suffering a horrific head injury.
Fitzgerald, 27, suffered critical head injuries during a reserves match against Lalor in the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) on Saturday.
The incident occurred when he knocked heads with another player while laying a tackle and his head struck another player's leg as he fell, before hitting the cricket pitch; a strip of concrete covered by artificial turf.
While the incident has been described as a freak accident, it has sparked concerns about the safety of covered cricket pitches at multi use sporting grounds.
Speaking to ABC radio on Monday, De Vincentis believes the incident should prompt an investigation into how cricket pitches are covered.
“Unfortunately, because we're just a local amateur sport, we have to be able to use these facilities for multiple purposes, but the risk does come that there is quite a hard strip of surface in the middle of the ground where there's a high-velocity, high-contact sport played on,” he said.
“I do hope this is explored and the way cricket pitches are covered moving forward is something that can be looked at, because it is a significant risk, and I think the weekend has proved what a dire outcome can be from that.”
De Vincentis acknowledged councils do what they can to reduce the risks but said “there will always remain a risk.”
Former AFL coach Mick Malthouse said what happened was “just simply horrible.”
“So many games of football are played, so many games of netball, soccer, rugby, and when something like this happens you take a deep breath, you sit back, you have a look around and you pray that it never happens to a family member or a friend,” Malthouse said.
In a statement on Sunday, Epping Football Netball Club said Fitzgerald's condition had deteriorated overnight and he was receiving end-of-life care, before sadly passing away late Monday night.
“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 and kiss your loved ones; life is precious,” the statement read.
“‘34 - Forever Fitzy'.”
Describing Fitzgerald, De Vincentis said he was “a really softly spoken, gentle young man who loves the club and loves his teammates.”
“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.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Nathan and his family.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has also passed on his condolences to Fitzgerald's family and friends while announcing that the Melbourne-Richmond game will hold a minute's silence prior to the match.
"The AFL, on behalf of the football community across Australia, extends its deepest condolences to Nathan Fitzgerald's family, friends, teammates and everyone connected with the Epping Football Netball Club, Lalor Football Netball Club and the Northern Football Netball League," Dillon said.
"Nathan's passing has deeply saddened everyone in the football community. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him, and with the many people across local football who have been affected by this tragic loss.
"At times like these, football is about much more than the game itself. It is about coming together to support one another, with the team at AFL Victoria working closely with those affected and continuing to provide wellbeing support to Nathan's family, his club and everyone impacted across the days and weeks ahead.
"As a tribute, all 18 clubs across AFL matches this weekend will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. In addition, the Melbourne Demons and Nathan's beloved Richmond Tigers will hold a minute's silence before their match on Sunday at the MCG.
"The AFL will also communicate to all community football leagues and clubs around the country and encourage all players to wear black armbands during this weekend's matches."
