‘We can all learn something from how Nathan was’: Tributes flow for footballer

Standing outside Epping’s clubrooms, Matthew Fitzgerald’s breath was visible in the cold Melbourne air.

It had been less than 24 hours since his brother, Nathan, died in hospital, and about three days since the on-field accident that put Nathan there.

The 27-year-old was playing for Epping Football Club’s reserves team against Lalor on Saturday when he sustained three head knocks in quick succession – injuries that would prove fatal. His death has been referred to the Coroners Court for investigation and may prompt a review of pitch safety.

Matthew was working when the accident happened, not knowing that having watched the Socceroos at 4am together that morning would be the last time he would see his brother conscious.

“That’s the last thing we did together – me, Nathan and my dad. That’s a special, special moment. That’s a moment I’m never going to forget,” he said.

Matthew said Nathan – the second eldest of four, including himself and two sisters – lived for his family.

“Friday morning he gave me a call, I was at work,” Matthew recalled. “In the conversation, he said, ‘How do you do it, how do you wake up at 5am every day?’

“He always admired people and always said ‘I’m proud of you’ … We can all learn something [from] how Nathan was. Cherish every moment with your loved ones. Love your family. That’s what Nathan did.”

Wearing his brother’s football jumper from last season, with the number 34 on the back – now retired – Matthew’s eyes filled with tears as he hugged club president Luke De Vincentis.

“There’s no handbook that tells you how to navigate a situation like this,” De Vincentis reflected, speaking to media afterwards.

“I’ve always wanted to be president of this club, this club that I’ve been part of since I was eight years old, and never thought that I’d have to deal with something like this.

“People handle emotions quite differently. Some players are open about how much [they are] struggling … Others are putting on a brave face … But overall the shock and how rare this situation is has delayed it sinking in. Now with news of his passing, it is starting to sink in a bit more.”

Epping Football Netball Club is still feeling its way through how to move forward. Players, coaches and medical staff will meet on Tuesday night to decide whether to go ahead with this weekend’s home games against Heidelberg West and South Morang. Epping’s home ground has an identical covered concrete cricket pitch to the one observers saw Nathan hit his head on.

The Northern Football Netball League said it would be able to make weekend changes work and was awaiting the club’s decision from tonight’s meeting to confirm plans.

De Vincentis said the vote would have to be unanimous as they did not want to force anyone to play if they did not feel comfortable.

He said a memorial for Nathan Fitzgerald would be held on Saturday morning either way, and that trauma counsellors had been made available to those needing support.

Club secretary Gary Rakhlin, whose son played with Fitzgerald, described him as “hard and tenacious” but fair on-field, while off-field he was “gentle and courteous”.

“He was one of nicest guys you’ll ever meet,” he said. “What can I say? It’s not fair.”

A few kilometres north at Mernda Central College, a steady flow of students were arriving to leave tributes to their teacher – better known as Fitzy, Mr Fitz or King Fitz. At the front gate was a growing pile of flowers, alongside candles, a teddy bear, a tie, a football and a box of letters.

Cards taped to the dozens of bouquets read “thank you for everything” and “school is going to be so hard without you”.

“Nathan Fitzgerald had a smile that would light up a room and always put others first,” one student wrote.

Everywhere were the letters LLNF – “Long live Nathan Fitzgerald”, year 12 student Dimitri Karatzas explained.

“He was a good guy,” Karatzas, who was taught by Fitzgerald a few years ago, said. “He was more than just a teacher. A lot of kids saw him as more of a friend they could talk to … A lot of students are upset that he won’t get to see them graduate.”

Year 8 student Macey Moderana, who was in one of Fitzgerald’s classes, remembered a time when she was struggling with panic attacks at school.

She said he had listened to her vent and then brainstormed solutions with her.

“He said he’d come by at the end of the day and check I was OK, and he actually did … And whenever he passed me in the hall, he’d always check how I was doing,” Moderana said.

A fundraiser set up by the football club for the Fitzgerald family raised more than $100,000 in less than 24 hours. Matthew said the family had been overwhelmed by the support, which, in addition to their strong faith, had been helping them get through each day.

In the wake of Nathan Fitzgerald’s death, conversations have continued around pitch safety and the covering of cricket pitches at local grounds.

“I don’t think leagues … are going to shut up shop now and not play games until something is rectified, so it is going to remain a risk until … AFL Victoria, Cricket Victoria, local councils get together and work on a solution that’s better than what we currently have,” De Vincentis said.

“You know, the current solution is within the guidelines, so no one is negligent here. Everyone’s doing the right thing, but the guidelines need to change, and I think after what’s happened on the weekend, that’s as prominent as ever. And unfortunately, it generally takes tragedy to enact change.”

The club president said he would like to see the AFL step up and take more accountability for player safety outside of the top league.

“Let’s just say, they wouldn’t send Nick Daicos out there,” he said.

Matthew Fitzgerald said he would support the safety of cricket pitch covers being looked into.

“We all know that a cricket pitch and a football pitch don’t belong together,” he said. “I do think we just take the opportunity to assess it, because anything [coming into] contact with the head, we want to minimise that … [and] do everything that we can for the health and safety of players.”

The AFL and Cricket Australia have joint guidelines for synthetic surfaces at community grounds.

Cricket Australia said it would consider any issues arising from Fitzgerald’s death after the facts surrounding the incident were known.It does not have the power to mandate the types of coverage used for synthetic pitches.

“We share the grief of everyone in the sporting community about this tragic event and send our deepest condolences to Nathan’s family, friends and teammates,” a CA spokesperson said.

“We will consider any issues surrounding the circumstances when all relevant information comes to light.”

Victorian soccer authorities say premier league matches must not be played on fields with cricket pitches but the guidelines are less rigid for community soccer.

“Ideally football pitches should not contain a cricket pitch, and where possible be strategically positioned so that the wicket is not on the pitch surface,” Football Victoria’s guidelines state.

“This will avoid the potential injury risk associated with the wicket on the surface, and also eliminate the need to cover a concrete pitch to make it safe to play on.”

The AFL has not announced any review of facility standards and did not respond to specific questions around player safety put to it by this masthead, saying its immediate priority was supporting those affected by Fitzgerald’s death.

However, a senior AFL source, not prepared to be quoted because the facts of the incident have not been established, indicated current safety thresholds for pitch coverings would be reviewed. They said there was no suggestion the Lalor Reserve pitch did not meet standards.

Players of all 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands during this weekend’s games, and there will be a minute’s silence before Melbourne’s clash with the Tigers at the MCG. The AFL will also encourage community football leagues and clubs across the country to honour Fitzgerald by wearing black armbands during this weekend’s local matches.

Matthew said Nathan was “yellow-and-black through and through”, and thanked the Richmond Football Club for contacting the family directly to extend 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 passing has deeply saddened everyone in the football community,” he said.

“At times like these, football is about much more than the game itself. It is about coming together to support one another.”

The tributes planned across the AFL and community football this weekend are expected to be among the largest co-ordinated acknowledgements for a grassroots footballer in recent years, reflecting the impact Fitzgerald’s death has had on every level of the game. Other codes are also expected to pay tribute.

WorkSafe Victoria said it had been notified and inspectors were making inquiries to determine what further action may be required.

In the wake of Fitzgerald’s death, conversations continued around pitch safety, including at the City of Melbourne. In Tuesday night’s council meeting, Lord Mayor Nick Reece was asked how many of the city’s ovals had covered concrete pitches. Reece said he was aware of nine pitches that were multi-use, and broadly committed to reviewing their safety.

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