Country footy star Antonio Loiacono has tragically passed away after colliding in a South Australian AFL match aged just 20.
The Birdwood Football Club, who play in the Hills Football League, played Gumeracha in the opening game of the season when Loiacono was seriously injured in the fourth quarter.
He was treated by specialist paramedics at Gumeracha Oval, 35 km north-east of Adelaide, and was then rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital late Saturday evening.
Tragically, a family member confirmed that Loiacono had passed away on Sunday night.
The talented utility represented SANFL club Norwood at the under-18 level in 2019 and also played for top-flight Riverland Football League club Waikerie.
Talented country football player Antonio Loiacono has died at the age of 20 after a collision on the field
The talented youngster played for the Birdwood Football Club, based in the Adelaide Hills region, and represented SANFL club Norwood as a junior
Pictured with his mother, the tight-knit rural footy community is in shock over his death following the collision on the pitch
A family member said that Loiacono was knocked out during the on-field collision and his heart stopped for 30 minutes before he miraculously came back to life; before sadly passing away in hospital.
“The whole family is in a bit of shock right now,” said the relative, who declined to be named Adelaide advertiser.
“He was loved by so many people. He was so close to his family, his brother and his girlfriend.
“He was someone who was really always a bright light in a room and such a positive, strong-willed person.”
As the AFL world continues to reel from the tragic consequences of head bumps, the family member said the star utility had suffered “too many” concussions and shouldn’t have been playing football in the first place.
Loiacono was treated at Gumeracha Oval before being taken by helicopter to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Unfortunately he did not survive
Another family member took to social media to express his grief over the loss of a man he described as “my other half, my best friend and the person I look up to the most.”
“Words cannot describe the pain we all feel that you are loved by so many. You will always be in my heart and I will talk to you every day,” Jack Loiaceno posted on Facebook.
“Your aura was so special and put a smile on everyone’s face around him. You are the most caring, considerate person I have come across and have always looked after me.
“I am so grateful for all you have done and helped me, you are my guidance and always will be.
“Everything I do from today is for you. I love you so much ‘Tones’, thinking of you.”
SANFL, the top league in South Australia, said it would support all involved.
“The league offers the family and the club every possible support,” the league said in a statement.
The football-crazy youngster played for a number of clubs in South Australia
A nearby country footy league, which plays on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, said the Birdwood club, based in Adelaide’s picturesque Hills region, was in their minds at a time of “incredible sadness”.
The Great Southern Football League extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Birdwood Football Club player Antonio Loiacono.
“Community Football is what we live for and this is a really sad time when a player is cut short by an unfortunate incident on the pitch, regardless of the level of the game.
“Our collective thoughts are with his family and the Birdwood Football Club at this time of incredible sadness.”
Fellow Hills Football League club Onkaparinga also shared their grief over the tragedy and rallied behind their rival club.
“The committee, members, players and friends of the Onka-Valley Football Club are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Antonio Loiacono of the Birdwood Football Club following an incident on Saturday,” the club said.
“Our thoughts are with everyone at the Birdwood Football Club, and as a fellow Hills Football League Club, we stand with you at this sad time. RIP Antonio.’
