Young dad left fighting for his life in a coma after on-field clash with opponent in AFL game

A 35-year-old father is fighting for life after an incident playing AFL in regional Victoria saw him airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he is in an induced coma.

Ben Duffield was playing for Greta in the Ovens and King reserve grade semi final in Wangaratta on Sunday afternoon, when he had a ‘solid bump into the ribs’ from his Milawa opponent.

Duffield left the field of his own accord and appeared alright, before his health deteriorated in the club rooms, culminating in an air ambulance being called to take him the 250km to Melbourne. 

According to the president of the league, Cam Green, the clash was accidental, with neither player at fault for the incident.  

‘It was just two blokes going after the footy,’ he told ABC Goulburn Murray. 

‘The player has come off the ground and said ‘I just got a good one, I’ll be right soon. He’s gone into the rooms for treatment and that’s when things escalated.’

Duffield reportedly suffered a broken sternum before going into cardiac arrest, with the club’s trainer – who fortunately is a nurse and paramedic – performing CPR.  

The decision was made to call the match off early, with the incident leaving the tight-knit club and community ‘rocked’. The league has not decided whether the finals series will continue. 

Greta player Ben Duffield is in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after a clash in a game in Wangaratta on Sunday

The following first grade match was also cancelled so that the helicopter could land on the field. 

Greta president Gary Hogan said Duffield left the field on his own, before the situation worsened rapidly while he was receiving treatment.

‘I’ve been speaking to some of the family this morning but no one has really given me an update from more than what we know at the moment,’ Hogan told the Herald Sun.

‘It was a solid bump into the ribs basically and we believe he received a fractured sternum from that.

‘He was in a fair bit of discomfort so he was taken into the club rooms and he just collapsed onto the floor just before the seniors game started.  

‘It was touch and go for quite a while and it was pretty distressing to see actually. (Our trainer) was pretty distraught about it the whole time,’ said Hogan, who wished Duffield a ‘speedy recovery’.

The Greta Football and Netball Club backed up the president’s sentiments, and thanked the community for their support on their Facebook page.   

‘This past week has presented many challenges to our players, members and supporters on and off the field,’ the club wrote.

‘The Greta Football Netball club is thankful for our community that has gathered around us and shown support.

‘Our heartfelt thanks also go to our trainers, support staff and medical staff present at the game today, along with the work of the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who attended, and Victoria Police for their presence,’ said the club on Facebook.

Duffield’s mother, Wendy Anderson, commented on the club’s post, and thanked everyone involved for their support.   

‘Absolutely outstanding by everyone involved. Ben (is) stable, but critical. Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but it comes from the very bottom of my heart; Wendy, Bennys mum xx,’ Anderson commented.

It led to a further outpouring of support by well-wishers, and it’s clear the tight-knit club are rallying around the family.

Local state MP, Tim McCurdy, who was present at the ground, also showed his support and thanked those for their efforts in the sad situation.

‘I attended the game and the situation was very well handled by all concerned and we do wish the player all the best. Thanks to paramedics on hand,’ he wrote on Greta’s Facebook page.

It is a horrific incident that hopefully Duffield will recover fully from; but Green said the one shining light was the way all the players, officials and clubs banded together to support everyone.

‘The essence of country football was there with all clubs coming together,’ he said.