Phoenix Spicer: Former AFL player for North Melbourne dies suddenly aged 23
WARNING: This story contains the name and images of a deceased Indigenous person.
Former AFL player Phoenix Spicer has died aged 23, with his family remembering him as a “beautiful, loyal and strong” man.
The death of the former North Melbourne small forward was announced on social media on Saturday by Dharna Nicholson-Bux, the sister of his partner Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, following his passing on Friday night.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“On behalf of my sister Ky-ya and our family, we are devastated to share that last night we tragically lost our brother Phoenix Spicer,” the post read.
“A beautiful, loyal and strong Nunggubuyu man.
“Phoenix will forever be our beloved brother, uncle, son, a partner to Ky-ya and a second dad to Jordy. Our hearts are broken with your sudden loss … you are watching over us in the Dreaming now. Forever 23.”
Drafted by North Melbourne with pick 42 in the 2020 national draft, Spicer played 12 AFL games across three seasons for the Kangaroos before being delisted at the end of 2023.
He went on to play for Darwin in the NTFL and later joined VFL club Footscray, where he had spent the past two seasons. Spicer was named an emergency for Footscray’s 2025 VFL grand final win over Southport in September.
Originally from Numbulwar, a remote community in the far north of the Northern Terrtory - Spicer grew up with nine siblings before moving to Adelaide at age 11 to live with his grandfather.
He was drafted from SANFL club South Adelaide.
Tributes have continued to flow from across the football community following his death.
