Country footy star dies in South Australian AFL match for Birdwood Football Club aged just 20

Country footy star Antonio Loiacono has tragically died following a collision in a South Australian AFL match aged just 20.

The Birdwood Football Club, who play in the Hills Football League, were playing Gumeracha in the opening game of the season when Loiacono suffered critical injuries in the fourth quarter.

He was treated by specialist paramedics at Gumeracha Oval, 35km north-east of Adelaide, and was then rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital late on Saturday night.

Tragically, a family member confirmed Loiacono had died on Sunday night.

The talented utility represented SANFL club Norwood at under 18s level in 2019, and had also played for top Riverland Football League club Waikerie. 

Talented country footy star Antonio Loiacono has died following an on-field collision aged just 20 

The talented youngster played for the Birdwood Football Club, which is based in the Adelaide Hills region, and represented SANFL club Norwood as a junior

Pictured with his mother, the tight-knit country footy community is in shock over his death following the on-field collision

A family member said Loiacono was knocked out during the on-field collision, and his heart stopped for 30 minutes before he was miraculously revived; before sadly passing away in hospital. 

‘The whole family are a bit in shock at the moment,’ the family member, who asked not to be named, told the Adelaide Advertiser.

‘He was loved by so, so many people. He had such a close relationship with his family, his brother and his girlfriend.

‘He was someone who was genuinely always a bright light in a room and was such a positive, strong willed person.’

As the AFL world continues to reel from the tragic consequences from head knocks, the family member said the star utility had suffered ‘too many’ concussions and should not have been playing footy in the first place.

SANFL, the top league in South Australia, said it would throw its support behind all involved. 

‘The league is offering the family and club all the support it can,’ the league said in a statement.

Loiacono was treated on Gumeracha Oval before being rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by helicopter. Tragically, he did not survive

The footy mad youngster played for a number of club across South Australia

A nearby country footy league, which plays in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, said the Birdwood club, based in Adelaide’s picturesque Hills region, was in their thoughts in a time of ‘unbelievable sadness’.

‘The Great Southern Football League forwards it sincere condolences to the family and friends of Birdwood Football Club player Antonio Loiacono,’ the league posted on social media.

‘Community Football is what we live for and this is a truly sad time when a player is cut down by an unfortunate on field incident, no matter what level of the game.

‘Our collective thoughts are with his family and the Birdwood Football Club at this time of unbelievable sadness.’

Fellow Hills Football League club Onkaparinga also shared their sadness at 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 passing of Antonio Loiacono from the Birdwood Football Club after an incident Saturday,’ the club said.

‘Our thoughts are with all from the Birdwood Football Club, and as a fellow Hills Football League Club we stand with you in this sad time. RIP Antonio.’