Football club will hold service to honour Nathan Fitzgerald following fatal game day injury

A commemorative service will be held to pay tribute to the life of a suburban football player who was fatally injured when his head collided with a cricket pitch.

Nathan Fitzgerald was critically injured during a local match at Lalor Recreation Reserve, in the city's north, on Saturday.

The 27-year-old teacher died on Monday night in hospital, after receiving end-of-life care.

Mr Fitzgerald's younger brother Matthew visited the recreation reserve on Tuesday, collecting floral tributes left at the clubroom doors by mourners.

"It's hard but we've got one another as a family and we are strong in our faith. God is our comfort," Matthew said.

"There'd be moments when I was in the kitchen cooking, or in the gym, and he'd always ended the conversation with 'I love you'. That's who he was.

"Love your family, that's what Nathan did," he said.

"He was my older brother, he was my role model. He really paved the way for me. He made me a stronger man. He wanted everyone to succeed."

The AFL has also extended its condolences following Mr Fitzgerald's death last night.

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

"Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him, and with the many people across local football who have been affected by this tragic loss."

All 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands as a mark of respect this weekend.

Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis said more than $100,000 had been raised via a GoFundMe page set up to help support the Fitzgerald family as they come to terms with the loss of their son.

He confirmed the number 34 worn by Mr Fitzgerald would be retired as it would be "forever (associated with) Fitzy."

"The love and support that has been shared not just throughout the Northern Football Netball League, not just throughout Victoria but across the entire country has been absolutely incredible," Mr De Vincentis said.

"We all wear different colours on a game day … but when things like this happen, you remove your colours and you just become one big Aussie Rules family.

"But we know during this time that the family is going to be dealing with so many anxieties and stresses, that at least these donations can alleviate them of one of these particular stresses …and can ease any financial burdens that they may be facing in the foreseeable future.

"It's amazing act of gratitude by the entire country to get behind this, rally behind the Fitzgerald family and give big or small and we hope the country continues to do so."

Players and members of the Epping Football Netball Club will meet tonight to determine whether they play their regular games this weekend.

Regardless of the game decision, Mr De Vincentis said a tribute service would be held at the Epping Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The site will be opened to the general public, not just club members.

"We've given the boys, the coaches, the medical staff a couple of days to think about how they're feeling and what they feel is best for them this coming weekend.

"We'll have an outcome later tonight about whether they choose to play or not this weekend. But whether there's a game here or not, there will be some sort of tribute service here for Nathan — we just don't know who that exactly looks at this point."

Mernda Central College, where Mr Fitzgerald taught, posted an online tribute on Monday night.

"Nathan was an exceptional young man who brought warmth, energy, kindness and genuine care to every part of his life," the school's statement said.

Federal Labor MP Andrew Giles, who represents the Scullin electorate covering the football club, said Mr Fitzgerald was highly regarded as both an athlete and a teacher.

"It will be a very challenging time for the community, the football club at Epping, the players and everyone at the Lalor football club too, and of course, all of the students and families whose lives Nathan touched as a teacher at Mernda Central College," he said.

"(Nathan's) life was filled with so much promise but had already delivered so much in terms of giving to others."

WorkSafe has confirmed it was notified after Mr Fitzgerald was critically injured on Saturday and is now investigating the case.

The council responsible for the oval, the City of Whittlesea, has told the ABC it followed safety regulations but would support a safety review, if the pitch was found to have contributed to the injuries.

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