Footy plans farewell for Melbourne player lost in ground tragedy

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.

After his condition quickly deteriorated in hospital, he was put into end-of-life care on Sunday and his life support was turned off on Monday.

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.

Fitzgerald's football club will 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.

AFL team Richmond, who Fitzgerald supported, will hold a minute's silence before their match against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday in tribute to him.

Players from all 18 AFL teams will wear black armbands across the weekend to honour Mr Fitzgerald, with clubs and community leagues around the country invited to do the same.

"Nathan's passing has deeply saddened everyone in the football community," AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a statement.

"At times like these, football is about much more than the game itself.

"It is about coming together to support one another."

A GoFundMe page launched to support his family had raised more than AU$100,000 (NZ$122,000) from 1700 donations as of Tuesday afternoon.

"Surrounded by the love of his family, Nathan grew his wings on 6 July 2026," the club said in a statement attached to the fundraiser.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his loving parents, Gary and Barbara, his siblings Hannah, Matthew and Vanessa, and his fiancee Hannah."

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.

The workplace safety regulator was making inquiries to determine next steps, a WorkSafe spokesperson said.

Fitzgerald was tended to by players and medical specialists from both sides immediately after the accident before emergency services arrived.

Mernda Central College, where 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.