City of Greater Geelong will undertake an additional inspection of local football venues fitted with synthetic cricket-pitch covers following the death of a man after an incident in a match in Melbourne.
Epping reserves player Nathan Fitzgerald was placed into end-of-life care and died on Monday night after suffering critical head injuries following a collision that resulted in his head hitting the covered area.
Victoria’s workplace safety watchdog will investigate the incident at Lalor Recreation Reserve.
There are 37 venues featuring a hard-wicket cricket pitch used during winter in Greater Geelong, including seven for senior men’s football.
Executive Director City Life, Anthony Basford, who extended COGG’s condolences to Mr Fitzgerald’s family and friends, and the football community, said the covers “are designed to meet AFL and Cricket Australia performance standards”.
“With community safety our highest priority, our Parks and Natural Assets team maintains these covers and inspects each ground weekly,” he said.
“Sporting clubs also undertake their own inspections before matches and training.
“While synthetic winter covers remain the preferred method, we are undertaking an additional inspection of all 37 pitches over the coming week following this tragedy to confirm they continue to meet the required standards.
“We will closely follow the outcome of the WorkSafe investigation and consider any recommendations or changes to relevant standards that arise.”
There are also synthetic covers used on grounds across Surf Coast Shire, Golden Plains Shire, and the Borough of Queenscliffe, where AFL Barwon and Geelong and District Football Netball League matches are played.
The synthetic covers include a rubber infill to improve impact absorption, replacing the former practice of placing loam over the wicket, which created uneven surface levels in the area and required a longer transition between seasons.
Meanwhile, players in community football leagues around Australia are being encouraged to wear black armbands as a mark of respect for Mr Fitzgerald.
