A junior rugby league player critically injured in a game on the NSW mid-north coast has died. Source: AAP
TEENAGER Jake Kedzlie lost his young life playing a game he lived for and would not want rugby league blamed for his tragic death, according to a close family friend.
The 15-year-old grandson of former Western Suburbs and Australian legend Tom Raudonikis had already attracted the attention of NRL clubs.
He collapsed into unconsciousness seconds after his head collided with the knee of an opponent playing a junior rugby league match for the Sawtell Panthers at Rex Hardaker Oval, Toormina, near Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
His devastated family made the harrowing decision to switch off his life support on Monday morning after a weekend vigil by his bedside at Coffs Harbour hospital.
Kedzlie's mother, Corryn, who is Raudonikis's daughter, said the family wanted the teenager's organs to be donated.
Close family friend Chris Taylor described Kedzlie as a remarkable and well-liked young man who looked set to follow in his famous grandfather's footsteps.
His family turned down a junior contract from the Wests Tigers club because they felt he was too young to make that move.
Taylor said Kedzlie's stepfather, Adrian, did not want the sport of rugby league held responsible for what was a tragic accident.
"Jake lived rugby league more than you would know. It was his life, it was everything," he told the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.
"One of the things that Adrian said to me is: 'We don't think that rugby league is responsible. That's not what Jake would want'."
Kedzlie's friends flooded Facebook over the weekend and again on Monday with emotional tributes to the popular 15 year-old Toormina High student.
His junior club said their hearts went out to Jake's family following his tragic accident.
"Jake was a good kid, who always had a smile on his face, who loved being part of a team and who loved his footy and he will be incredibly missed," said Sawtell JRLFC President Karena Duggan.
"Jake was a talented player who got on with everyone.
"All of us are now coming to grips with what has just been a tragic accident, it was just one of those freak things that happen in life, there is no one who could be blamed."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates at this tremendously difficult time."
The Sawtell community is already looking into ways of organising fund raising events to help Kedzlie's family.
Raudonikis, who drove from his Gold Coast home to be with his distraught daughter when the decision was made to switch off Jake's life support, said he was "doing it tough".
"We hold no grudges against the great game of rugby league and we want to emphasise that," Raudonikis told News Limited on Monday.
"My daughter's absolutely shattered and if anyone has a reason to blame the game, it's her. But it was just a freak accident and a reminder of how fickle life can be.
"Parents out there should not be put off by this - rugby league is still a great game for the kids.
"If they want to wear headgear, they can but I'm not sure it would have prevented this tragedy and I don't think it should be made compulsory.
"If anyone should have brain injuries from playing football over the years, it's me."
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