ALL 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands this weekend in tribute to community player Nathan Fitzgerald, who passed away on Monday.

Fitzgerald, 27, suffered critical head injuries during a game at Lalor Recreation Reserve, in Melbourne's north, over the weekend. He died in hospital on Monday night.

All 18 clubs in round 18 will wear black armbands in tribute, while there will be a minute's silence before Sunday's match at the MCG between Melbourne and Richmond, who Fitzgerald supported.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has also encouraged community players at all levels to wear black armbands this weekend.

"The AFL, on behalf of the football community across Australia, extends its deepest condolences to Nathan Fitzgerald's family, friends, teammates and everyone connected with the Epping Football Netball Club, Lalor Football Netball Club and the Northern Football Netball League," Dillon said in a statement.

"Nathan's passing has deeply saddened everyone in the football community. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him, and with the many people across local football who have been affected by this tragic loss.

"At times like these, football is about much more than the game itself. It is about coming together to support one another, with the team at AFL Victoria working closely with those affected and continuing to provide wellbeing support to Nathan's family, his club and everyone impacted across the days and weeks ahead.

"As a tribute, all 18 clubs across AFL matches this weekend will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. In addition, the Melbourne Demons and Nathan's beloved Richmond Tigers will hold a minute's silence before their match on Sunday at the MCG.

"The AFL will also communicate to all community football leagues and clubs around the country and encourage all players to wear black armbands during this weekend’s matches."

Mr Fitzgerald, who was playing for Epping Football Netball Club, clashed heads with a teammate after attempting to tackle an opponent on Saturday.

The clash was the first of several blows. It was followed by a knee or boot to the head and a head-first landing on a covered cricket pitch.

The pitch sits in the centre of the oval and is covered with a multi-layered synthetic surface when football games are played.

Local players were aware the cricket pitch was harder and less forgiving than the surrounding surface, Epping club president Luke De Vincentis said.

"Everyone always makes comments about not wanting to get tackled on the cricket pitch," he told AAP.

He could not recall any serious injuries arising from contact with the surface but said cuts, grazes and rolled ankles were common.

While covered cricket pitches were features of ovals across the nation, Mr De Vincentis hoped the incident would encourage a re-think.

"It's probably been an accident waiting to happen," he said.

"I really hope there is quite a bit more exploration to how cricket pitches are covered and understanding that that synthetic strip of turf just probably isn't enough any more."

The City of Whittlesea, which manages the reserve, said the pitch covering met the relevant safety standards and it was commonly used.

"The synthetic cricket wicket at Lalor Recreation Reserve was covered with a purpose-designed, multi-layered synthetic surface in accordance with applicable AFL/Cricket Australia performance standards for shared-use sporting grounds," a spokesperson said.

"Covered cricket wicket systems of this type are commonly used on shared-use sporting grounds across Australia."

Emergency services treated Mr Fitzgerald at the scene after medical specialists and players rushed to his aid.

Mr De Vincentis praised their efforts, adding the young player's condition might have deteriorated sooner had he not been treated immediately.

"Emergency services have told us that if it wasn't for their work, there was every chance he could have died on the spot," he said.

"They were fantastic in dealing with a situation that not many football trainers would have had to have ever dealt with in the history of our game."

The incident rocked the sporting club, which came together on Saturday night and again on Sunday.

"There were 120-odd people at the club yesterday, just being together and rallying around each other," he said.

Counselling services were made available and conversations had begun about a memorial.

Local junior Jax Collins, who attended the reserve wearing a jersey in honour of Mr Fitzgerald, spoke of his anguish.

"I felt pretty upset," he said. "No one really wants that to happen to someone when they're playing footy."

Mr Fitzgerald was remembered as kind, upbeat and softly spoken.

"But he was tenacious and courageous as anything on the field," Mr De Vincentis said.

Mr Fitzgerald worked at Mernda Central College, where he taught maths and science.

Support would be made available for the school community, a Department of Education spokesperson said.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Nathan Fitzgerald at this very difficult time," they said.