The Australian Football League community is in mourning following the tragic death of former North Melbourne Kangaroos forward, Phoenix Spicer, at the age of 23.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Phoenix Spicer passed away on Friday, with his family and his former AFL club, North Melbourne, confirming the devastating news. Spicer was selected by the Kangaroos with pick number 42 in the 2020 national draft. He went on to play 12 senior AFL games for the club before being delisted at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Demonstrating his continued dedication to the game, Spicer spent the last two seasons with Footscray, the VFL affiliate of the Western Bulldogs. He played 18 games for the Bulldogs' reserves side and was named as an emergency for their VFL grand final victory in September this year. His football journey was set to continue, with an announcement just months ago confirming he had signed to play for Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League from the 2026 season.
A Proud Indigenous Legacy and Tributes
Originally from Numbulwar, a remote community in east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Spicer was a proud Nunggubuyu man. He left a lasting cultural mark on the North Melbourne Football Club by playing a key role in helping artist Emma Bamblett design the club's 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round guernsey. The design featured the totems of each of the team's First Nations players, with Spicer represented by the barramundi fish.
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood led the tributes, stating: "Phoenix was only at the club for a short time but he was a popular and well-liked member of the playing group. On behalf of the club, I would like to pass on my condolences to Phoenix's family and friends at this extremely sad time."
The Western Bulldogs also issued a statement, extending their deepest condolences to Spicer's friends, family and loved ones and requesting privacy for them during this difficult period.
Support for the Football Community
The AFL Players' Association expressed profound sadness at Spicer's passing and reminded past and present players that support services are available. "The AFLPA continues to offer free and confidential wellbeing support nationwide to all current and past player members as well as their significant others," their statement read.
The loss of such a young talent has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, highlighting the close-knit nature of the football community in times of tragedy.
