Phoenix Spicer, a talented Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club, died tragically on January 2, 2026. He was just 23 years old. His death was announced by his family, who remembered him as a 'beautiful, loyal, and strong Nunggubuyu man.' Spicer was drafted by North Melbourne in 2020 and played 12 games for the Kangaroos, known for his speed and skill as a small forward.

Beyond his contributions on the field, Spicer was deeply proud of his Indigenous heritage. He played a key role in designing North Melbourne's 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey, incorporating the totems of the team's First Nations players. After his time in the AFL, he continued his career in the VFL with Footscray. The football community has rallied around his family, expressing shock and sorrow at the loss of a young man with so much potential both in sport and in life.",