Sport

Goulburn Murray football leagues to don black armbands after local football tragedy

By Callum Farquhar

Jul 9, 2026

Clubs are encouraged to ask players to wear black armbands this weekend, Photo by Megan Fisher

Local leagues are encouraging players to don black armbands this weekend following a tragic footballing incident in Melbourne’s north.

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Epping football club player Nathan Fitzgerald was rushed to hospital in critical condition on the weekend after suffering a head injury at Lalor Recreation Reserve during a Northern Football Netball League match.

Mr Fitzgerald is believed to have suffered three head knocks during a tackle, clashing heads with a teammate before a boot or knee collided to his head, followed by hitting his head on a hard cricket pitch in the middle of the oval.

The suburban footballer was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but put on end of life care before his passing was announced Monday night by the football club.

The tragic fatality has reverberated across the nation, and local leagues in the Goulburn Murray region will follow the AFL’s suit in wearing black armbands to pay respects to the 27-year-old teacher.

All AFL clubs will wear black armbands this weekend, while Melbourne and Richmond’s game will hold a minute’s silence beforehand.

The Murray Football League confirmed all clubs will be encouraged to wear the black tape on Saturday, while the Goulburn Valley League stated both under-19 and senior interleague teams will be wearing armbands in respect for Mr Fitzgerald.

The Picola District League told the News it expects some clubs to tape black armbands on to honour former president Bruce Tuhan who passed away before the competition’s bye last weekend.