Heartbreak as Australian rules footballer receives end-of-life care

The use of football grounds that include covered cricket pitches is under scrutiny as a young teacher undergoes end-of-life care following a tragic injury at a suburban sports venue.

Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, suffered critical head injuries during a reserves Australian rules football game at Lalor Recreation Reserve, in Melbourne's north, on Saturday.

He is reported to have knocked heads with another player while attempting to make a tackle.

Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis said Fitzgerald suffered multiple head knocks before landing head-first on the cricket pitch during his fall.

As a multi-purpose sports facility, the oval is used for both cricket and football.

De Vincentis said the cricket pitch was covered on Saturday but was still "substantially harder" than surrounding parts of the oval.

"There has always been some risks and concerns involved around the cricket pitches on footy ovals,'' De Vincentis told ABC Radio on Monday.

''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."

In a statement on Sunday, Epping Football Netball Club acknowledged the beloved player's condition had deteriorated overnight and he was receiving end-of-life care.

"The entire Fitzgerald family is in our thoughts during this horrible situation and we ask that you respect their privacy," it said.

De Vincentis described the incident as incomprehensible and praised the efforts of medical officials from both clubs and emergency services.

'"What we were told by emergency services was that had they not acted as quickly as they did, they would have probably been dealing with the circumstances we faced yesterday, possibly on the field," he said.

"We didn't get the outcome that we wanted with Nathan, but they at least gave him an extra 24 hours for family and friends to at least go and say goodbye."

Fitzgerald worked as a teacher at Mernda Central College.

According to the school's website, he joined the staff as a maths and science teacher in 2023.

AAP has contacted the City of Whittlesea, which manages Lalor Recreation Reserve, for comment.

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