‘Rest easy, my bro’: Kangaroos, Bulldogs mourn the death of former AFL player, aged 23

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of a deceased person.

Former North Melbourne forward Phoenix Spicer has died at the age of 23.

Spicer passed away on Friday, with his family and North Melbourne confirming the news. This masthead understands the cause of his death is not yet clear.

Drafted with pick No.42 by the Kangaroos in the 2020 national draft, Spicer played 12 AFL games before being delisted at the end of 2023.

Former teammates remembered Spicer fondly on Sunday, with one Kangaroo describing Spicer as “[the] most caring [of] souls”.

Former North Melbourne captain Brent Harvey, the VFL/AFL games record holder, presented Spicer with his first Kangaroos jumper in the change rooms in 2021. Spicer was player No.1038 to play for the Kangaroos.

Harvey shared an Instagram video of that moment, captioned with the message: “#1038. R.I.P. Heartbreaking.”

The club’s most recent captain, Jy Simpkin, said simply on Instagram: “Rest easy, my bro.”

New Kangaroos captain Nick Larkey posted to Instagram that Spicer was “one of the kindest and most caring souls”.

Spicer spent the past two seasons at the Western Bulldogs’ 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.

Just months ago, it was announced Spicer had signed for Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League for the 2026 season.

Hoppers Crossing is coached by Spicer’s former Kangaroos teammate, Jared Polec.

Originally from Numbulwar, a remote community in east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Spicer was a proud Nunggubuyu man.

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.

Spicer was represented by his totem, the barramundi fish.

“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.

“On behalf of the club, I would like pass on my condolences to Phoenix’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”

The Bulldogs also sent out their condolences.

“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.

The AFL Players Association said it was saddened by Spicer’s passing, and said support services were available for any past or present players who needed them.

“The AFLPA continues to offer free and confidential wellbeing support nationwide to all current and past player members as well as their significant others,” the statement said.

AAP and theage.com.au

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