Vale Phoenix Spicer

[gokangas]

Very, very tragic news.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-north-melbourne-player-phoenix-spicer-mourned-after-death-at-age-of-23/news-story/e7106f427af45406b8ff38d5a3fb227e

 

[gokangas]

The full story. So sad.

Former North Melbourne player Phoenix Spicer mourned after death at age of 23​

Former AFL player Phoenix Spicer has been remembered as a “beautiful, loyal and strong” person after his death at the age of 23. Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of deceased persons.
Chris Cavanagh

January 3, 2026 - 6:45PM
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...ory/e7106f427af45406b8ff38d5a3fb227e#comments

Phoenix Spicer at training with North Melbourne.

Former North Melbourne small forward Phoenix Spicer has been remembered as a “beautiful, loyal and strong” Indigenous man after tragically passing away on Friday night.
The sister of Spicer’s partner, Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, announced the news in a Facebook post on Saturday.
He was 23.
“On behalf of my sister Ky-ya and our family, we are devastated to share that last night we tragically lost our brother Phoenix Spicer. A beautiful, loyal and strong Nunggubuyu man,” the post from Dharna Nicholson-Bux read.
“Phoenix will forever be our beloved brother, uncle, son, a partner to Ky-ya and a second dad to Jordy.
“Our hearts are broken with your sudden loss, you are watching over us in the Dreaming now my brother we will miss you!
“Forever 23.”

Phoenix Spicer played 12 games for North Melbourne.

Phoenix Spicer playing for the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Spicer’s most recent post on Instagram was in late October, displaying happy snaps from a trip to the United States which included taking in an NBA game in New York.
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.
He was named as an emergency for Footscray ahead of the 2025 VFL Grand Final against Southport in September, which the Bulldogs went on to win by 10 points.

In late September, Western Region Football League club Hoppers Crossing announced that Spicer had signed on with the club for 2026, where he was set to reunite with former Kangaroos teammate Jared Polec

13

Jared Polec

Age

33

Ht

187cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.6

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

7.7

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

20.5

5star

K

13.1

5star

HB

7.4

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.1

4star

CL

2.9

4star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

who has coached the club for the past two seasons.
Originally from Numbulwar – a remote community in East Arnhem Land – Spicer grew up with nine siblings.
“We did a lot of fishing up there, from early in the morning to late at night,” he said in a story on North Melbourne’s website in 2023.
“We’ll be walking back (home) while the sun’s going down. And then we’ll have a big feed all together, back at home.
“I remember a lot of fishing, a lot of hunting out in the bush. It’s a lot different to here.”
Spicer moved to Adelaide to live with his grandfather when he was 11 and was drafted from SANFL club South Adelaide.

NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE?​

Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au

 

[viccles]

This is truly heartbreaking.

 

[1990crow]

Vale. Shit news.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

R.I.P

 

[weltschmerz]

Rest in peace, Phoenix. Tragic.

 

[gokangas]

RIP Phoenix - always a shinboner.

 

[DuckYeah]

Anyone feeling like they ever need a chat my message box is always open.

 

[RooStu15]

So sad, same age as my twin boys. Happens too often, give your kids a hug

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Horrible stuff.

Those postscript phone numbers loom large….

 

[Woolly Mammoth]

Absolutely Heartbreaking, always seemed like a very pleasant kid in his interactions with fans online, this happens far too much with young men. R.I.P.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

God, that’s awful. Thoughts with his family and friends.

 

[CURVE]

Shocked. Very sad to hear of Phoenix’s passing, and so young.

Condolences to his family. RIP Phoenix.

 

[giantroo]

 

[trooroo4life]

As I mentioned in the past players thread, was such a nice young lad every time I got the chance to talk to him after training sessions. Very shy, but always nice and up for a quick chat.

Just absolutely heartbreaking. 23 and the world still at his feet. Just awful.

Rest easy Phoenix, and much love and light to your loved ones.

 

[Ashley B]

RIP Phoenix. Forever a”Shinboner”

 

[Marstermind]

Shinboner #1038

Rest easy

 

[giantroo]

Vale Phoenix Spicer

North Melbourne is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of former player Phoenix Spicer

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[eth-dog]

Horrible news, RIP Phoenix.

 

[Hopper10]

Terrible news, so young, thoughts with family and friends

 

[Wayne Campbell]

Ah shit, RIP Phoenix

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

Rest in eternal peace 1038th shinboner.

 

[DunderHead]

Poor kid.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Rest in peace Phoenix Spicer

 

[giantroo]