Grand Final Turns Ugly: Adelaide Footballer Fights for Life After Brutal Brawl
Adelaide Footballer Left in Coma After Brawl During Grand Final
A teenager has been placed in an induced coma after an out-of-control incident at an under-17 soccer match. The match turned into an all-out brawl.
Several red and yellow cards were issued during a heated first half of the grand final between Angle Vale and Two Wells in Adelaide. There were fights between players during the match at Hamley Bridge Oval on Sunday.
Just before half-time, 17-year-old Angle Vale player Henry Nau was pictured unconscious as he tried to walk off the pitch.
Some spectators have suggested Henry may have been hit by King, but these reports have yet to be confirmed by the Adelaide Plains Football League.
‘At this stage we don’t know if it was a blow or an accident. We can’t be sure,’ APFL chairman Michael Vigor said.
The match was halted for almost an hour while paramedics rushed to the scene and took Henry to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Henry is currently in a stable condition.
Henry was reported to have suffered another head injury early in the game.
His family said his CAT scan results showed positive signs of recovery.
Several yellow and red cards were issued during the match between Angle Vale and Two Wells, with players involved in a brawl at one point (pictured, Mr Nau being carried off)
But the news was of little comfort to Henry’s shocked teammates, who watched as their friend collapsed, surrounded by tarps and shocked staff.
“(He) fell down and was a little dazed, then I don’t know what happened next… and then he just fell down,” teammate Jack Pesano said.
‘It’s really scary. It’s really scary to know that something like that could happen to one of my best friends who I play football with.’