Nathan Fitzgerald: Footy plans farewell for player lost in ground tragedy
A beloved school teacher who died after suffering critical head injuries during a reserves Australian rules game will be farewelled by his local club.
Tributes continue to flow for a young teacher who died following a tragic footballing accident, as his heartbroken local club decides how best to farewell him.
Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, died in hospital on Monday after suffering an injury while playing for Epping Football Netball Club at Lalor Recreation Reserve, in Melbourne’s north, on Saturday.
The high school teacher incurred head knocks before landing head-first on a covered cricket pitch after trying to make a tackle.
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In the days since the tragic accident, the football community, the school he taught at and community groups have issued a flood of heartfelt tributes.
His football club would meet on Tuesday night to hash out plans for a memorial, Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis told AAP.
It will decide whether to run on in his honour this weekend or for a planned fixture.
“Surrounded by the love of his family, Nathan grew his wings on 6 July 2026,” the club said on a GoFundMe page launched on Monday to support his family.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his loving parents, Gary and Barbara, his siblings Hannah, Matthew and Vanessa, and his fiancée Hannah.”
The campaign had raised more than $100,000 from 1700 donations as of Tuesday afternoon.
The incident has sparked concerns about the potential safety hazards of multi-purpose ovals, used for cricket in summer and football in winter.
Local players have raised concerns the pitch, covered with a multi-layered synthetic surface during football matches, was harder and less forgiving than the surrounding oval.
The City of Whittlesea, which manages the facility, said the pitch covering met safety standards and was commonly used across Australia.
A spokesperson confirmed the covering was bought in 2025 and reinstalled for its second season of use in the first week of April.
Victorian Amateur Football Association chief executive Jason Reddick said a message would go out to clubs across the state as a reminder of the importance of using approved cricket pitch coverings.
“We’re going to put that out to our clubs just as a reminder of the requirements about what’s needed with pitch inspections and ensuring that the grounds have got the AFL-Cricket Australia approved coverings,” he said.
Discussions were under way regarding how clubs across Melbourne would honour Mr Fitzgerald this weekend, Mr Reddick said.
“We’re working together to determine exactly what we’re asking of all our players and members,” he said.
The workplace safety regulator was making inquiries to determine next steps, a WorkSafe spokesperson said.
Mr Fitzgerald was tended to by players and medical specialists from both sides immediately after the accident before emergency services arrived.
Mernda Central College, where Mr Fitzgerald taught, also paid tribute, calling him an “exceptional young man who brought warmth, energy, kindness and genuine care to every part of his life”.
“He was a deeply valued member of our school community and had a profound impact on the students, staff and families who have had the privilege of knowing him.”
The school has installed a “memory box” on campus, with students, families and staff invited to leave a message for “Mr Fitz” to be shared with his family.
