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Tragedy Strikes AFL Mt Isa Community

  • Sunday, August 28 2016 @ 08:44 pm ACST
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The Mt Isa football community is in shock and a state of grieving after a young footballer died last week after having collapsed in a match the previous weekend. The young man from the Lake Nash All Stars team (a community just 17 kilometres from the Northern Territory/Queensland border on the Territory side and roughly 375 kilometres by road from Mt Isa) collapsed after being taken from the ground.

The All Stars team travels each match day from Alpurrurulam (the correct name of the community) on a round trip of around 750 kilometres for opportunity to play.

According to the local North West Star newspaper, in an article by Samantha Walton:

The AFL community has been hit with sad news after Lake Nash Young Guns player passed away yesterday (Thursday August 25).

The man collapsed in the second half of the match against Tigers on Saturday and was taken from the field where he suffered a cardiac arrest on the sideline.
Proceedings were brought to a halt while emergency services dealt with the situation and eventually the player was taken to Mount Isa Hospital, before transferred to Townsville.

In the AFL Mount Isa League meeting held Wednesday evening, Tigers Football Club in a solid show of support for Lake Nash Young Guns, forfeited the game to the Young Guns.

All AFL clubs thoughts and prayers have been posted on social media to the player’s family, friends and the Lake Nash community.

(The article has been modified to remove the name of the player on request of community members).

http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/4122736/young-guns-player-dies/ωcs=191 
 
 At the time of the incident, local Mt Isa team, Tigers, were leading by eight points in the second semi-final. The game did not resume after the incident, and the show of support and incredible sportsmanship saw the Lake Nash Young Guns move to the Grand-Final. In the subsequent Preliminary Final played this weekend, Tigers went on to defeat Rovers to reach the Grand Final against the Young Guns in a match that will be very high on emotion for all involved.
 
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man, as well as all of those affected by the tragedy.