{"id":390983,"date":"2026-01-04T11:49:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T11:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390983\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T11:49:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T11:49:25","slug":"tragic-death-of-afl-player-phoenix-spicer-aged-just-23-throws-the-footy-world-into-mourning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390983\/","title":{"rendered":"Tragic death of AFL player Phoenix Spicer aged just 23 throws the footy world into mourning"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JUSTIN CHADWICK FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS <\/p>\n

Published: 17:05 EST, 3 January 2026 | Updated: 17:05 EST, 3 January 2026 <\/p>\n

Former North Melbourne forward Phoenix Spicer has died at the age of 23.<\/p>\n

Spicer passed away on Friday, with his family and North Melbourne confirming the news.<\/p>\n

Taken with pick No.42 by the Kangaroos<\/a> in the 2020 national draft, Spicer went on to play 12 AFL<\/a> games before being delisted at the end of 2023.<\/p>\n

Spicer spent the past two seasons at the Western Bulldogs<\/a>‘ VFL affiliate Footscray – playing 18 games across that stretch – and he was named as an emergency in the club’s VFL grand final victory in September.<\/p>\n

Just months ago, it was announced Spicer had signed for Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Hoppers Crossing is coached by Spicer’s former Kangaroos teammate Jared Polec.<\/p>\n

\"Former <\/p>\n

Former North Melbourne player Phoenix Spicer (pictured) is being mourned after his tragic death on Friday<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The 23-year-old was drafted by the Kangaroos in 2020<\/p>\n

\"Spicer <\/p>\n

Spicer helped design North’s jersey for the Indigenous Round in 2023<\/p>\n

Originally from Numbulwar, a remote community in east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Spicer was a proud Nunggubuyu man.<\/p>\n

He played a role in helping artist Emma Bamblett design North Melbourne’s 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey, which featured each of the team’s First Nations players’ totems.<\/p>\n

Spicer was represented by his totem, the barramundi fish.<\/p>\n

‘Phoenix was only at the club for a short time but he was a popular and well-liked member of the playing group,’ North Melbourne president Sonja Hood said in a statement.<\/p>\n

‘On behalf of the club, I would like to pass on my condolences to Phoenix’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.’<\/p>\n

The Bulldogs also sent out their condolences.<\/p>\n

‘The club extends its deepest condolences to Spicer’s friends, family and loved ones at this difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected,’ the statement read.<\/p>\n

The AFL Players’ Association said they were saddened by Spicer’s passing, and said support services were available for any past or present players who needed them.<\/p>\n

‘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.<\/p>\n

Help is available: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36\u00a0<\/p>\n

AFL<\/a>North Melbourne Kangaroos<\/a><\/p>\n

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