Vale Phoenix Spicer

[gokangas]

The last bit is where you're wrong. Your interpretation anyway.

Worked in and around the media long enough (40+ years) to know what the dog whistling means.

 

[Dinkers]

Terribly sad news, and what doesn't help is the chat around self harm or drugs being involved.
That fyi is disgusting, and anyone alluding to this being about drugs, should have their account cancelled.
It was sudden, unexpected and bloody not fair.
From all reports a fine young man and just dealt a shit hand in life expectancy.
Feel for his friends and family

 

[gokangas]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/phoenix-spicers-partner-reveals-brain-aneurysm-killed-former-north-melbourne-player-at-aged-23/news-story/f8ef369c6d1d45e32f5561702a0afdc2

 

[gokangas]

Just so sad.​

​

Phoenix Spicer’s partner reveals brain aneurysm killed former North Melbourne player at aged 23​

The partner of Phoenix Spicer has revealed the reason the former Roo died last month aged 23, saying he didn’t take his own life. Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of deceased persons.

Eliza Reilly

January 18, 2026 - 5:15PM



Former Roo Phoenix Spicer passes away
AFL: Former Kangaroos star Phoenix Spicer has passed away at age 23.
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Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of deceased persons.
The partner of Phoenix Spicer is pleading with people to “listen to your body” after announcing the former North Melbourne player tragically passed away due to a sudden brain aneurysm.

The ex-Kangaroo died earlier this month, aged 23.

In a social media post on Sunday, Spicer’s partner Ky-ya Nicholson Ward said the tragedy came as a complete shock, and her “heart is broken” as she encouraged people to get checked at the first sign of illness.

“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 on Facebook.

Former North Melbourne player Phoenix Spicer died of a brain aneurysm, his partner has revealed. Pic: Michael Klein
“Phoenix took his last breath on Friday the 2nd of January 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.”

Drafted to North Melbourne at pick 42 in the 2020 national draft, he played 12 games across three seasons for the Kangaroos before being delisted at the end of 2023.

Spicer went on to play for Darwin in the NTFL, before joining VFL team Footscray, where he had spent the past two years.

Two private memorials for family and friends are due to be held this week in Melbourne, his second home, and Adelaide, where the proud Nunggubuyu man will be laid to rest alongside his grandfather.

 

[Dinkers]

Well I'm glad it came out, hated the talk of drugs or alcohol and even self harm.

FMD this world is crazy

Still very sad.

 

[zoomba23]

Terrifying, and heartbreaking in equal measure

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

The fragility of human life is ****ing scary.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Absolutely awful.
Probably wouldn't have even caught an aneurysm if he tripped and fell into a CT. Its just luck of the draw if they get picked up.
Poor Phoenix

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Brain aneurysm is also what killed Grant Imahara from Mythbusters.

Insane how something like that does you in.

 

[gokangas]

The fragility of human life is ****ing scary.

Jeepers, do I ever know that now.