- Help is available: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
The partner of former North Melbourne forward Phoenix Spicer, has revealed that the 23-year-old died as a result of a sudden brain aneurysm.
The half-forward tragically passed away on January 3.
His partner, Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, is now hoping to raise awareness by urging others to ‘get checked’ and ‘listen to your body’.
Spicer was drafted to the Kangaroos from South Australia in the 2020 National Draft.
He would go on to play 12 AFL games for the club before being delisted at the end of the 2023 season. The talented half-forward was then drafted to play for Footscray and spent the past two seasons playing for the Bulldogs in the VFL.
On Sunday, Nicholson Ward wrote on Facebook that her ‘heart is broken’ following Spicer’s passing.
The partner of North Melbourne forward Phoenix Spicer, who tragically passed away earlier this month, has revealed that the 23-year-old died as a result of a sudden brain aneurysm
Spicer’s partner Ky-ya Nicholson Ward (pictured) urged others to ‘get checked and listen to your body’
‘I’ve decided to share what happened to my darling Phoenix, not because I have to, but because I want to raise awareness,’ Nicholson Ward wrote.
‘Phoenix took his last breath on Friday, January 2, but he DID NOT take his own life.
‘I found him, we tried with everything we could to save him but we didn’t know he was already gone. It was the most traumatic experience of my life.
‘Days later we found out that Phoenix passed into the Dreaming from a sudden brain aneurysm. He never complained of headaches or showed any signs that something was wrong.
‘Please, if you can, get checked and listen to your body. This can happen to anyone, at any time.
‘My heart is broken.’
Her comments come after Spicer’s family were previously forced to speak out against misinformation surrounding the half-forward’s passing.
Tributes have poured in for Spicer, with North Melbourne president Sonja Hood stating: ‘Phoenix was only at the club for a short time but he was a popular and well-liked member of the playing group.
Spicer played 12 AFL games for North Melbourne before being delisted at the end of the 2023 season
Spicer was born in Numbulwar, a remote community in east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory
‘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 Bulldogs also paid tribute to the young half-forward.
‘The club extends its deepest condolences to Spicer’s friends, family and loved ones at this difficult time and asks that their privacy be respected,’ the statement read.
Spicer hailed from Numbulwar, a remote community in east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. He was a proud Nunggubuyu man.
In 2023, Spicer had assisted artist Emma Bamblett to design North Melbourne’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey.
The design had featured each of the team’s First Nations players’ totems.
Spicer had been represented by his totem, the barramundi fish.
Help is available: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
The Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support. Call 1300 659 467.
