Grandmother of fatally injured teenage footballer opens up on their last conversation

The grandmother of fatally injured teenage footballer Dallas Keogh-Frankling has opened up on their heartbreaking last conversation.

Dallas Keogh-Frankling (right) and grandmother Margaret Keogh (left)

The grandmother of a teenage footballer who tragically died during a game has revealed her final conversation with her grandson.

Margaret Keogh was at the under-18s fixture in the regional Victorian town of Kyneton where her grandson, Dallas Keogh-Frankling, was playing for Castlemaine when he was fatally injured in a tackle.

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“Dallas rang me Friday night,” Keogh told 7 News.

“And he said, ‘Nan, I’ve been off for a few days.

“Umm … I’ve been feeling a bit crook, a bit of the flu’.

“But he said, ‘I’m feeling better now and I’m playing tomorrow’.”

With Castlemaine’s fixture this week against Golden Square uncertain to go ahead, Keogh says her grandson would have wanted his mates to play.

Castlemaine Football player Dallas Keogh-Frankling who died shortly after losing consciousness following a football game Pic: Supplied

“I’m sure he’d be saying, ‘Play because I would want to be playing’. He would,” she said.

““He was the most beautiful, beautiful boy.

“I am finding it very hard to accept that this tragedy has occurred.

“I can’t believe that such a beautiful person has left us … We’re going to miss Dallas like you wouldn’t believe.”

The football club has since also released a statement.

“The Castlemaine Football & Netball Club extend our heartfelt sympathies to Dallas’s family, in particular his parents Mark and Regina, his brother Ashton, and extended family who are a significant part of our club and its history.

“Our Club community has understandably been rocked by this tragedy and have spent time together over the past two days supporting each other and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months.

“Dallas loved his football, he loved his Club, and he loved his teammates. It is unfathomable to us that he is gone.

“At the behest of his family, training will continue to be offered this week to honour the fact that he would never want his death to dampen our love of the game.”

Keogh-Frankling was injured at the Kyneton Showgrounds around 12.20pm during a game against Kyneton.

The 17-year-old instantly got up, however he later collapsed and became unresponsive in the changerooms.

He was taken to Kyneton Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.

Keogh-Frankling had been hurt by a tackle but played on, with his father believing he had broken his ribs.

Margaret Keogh, grandmother of fatally injured footballer Dallas Keogh-Frankling. Picture: 7 News

“Late in the last quarter he was tackled on the boundary line by two people,” Mark Frankling told the Herald Sun.

“His arms were pinned and he landed on the ball next to the gates where people come onto the field.”

He said Dallas got up “straight away” but was grabbing at “his guts” and then sat down on a bench.

“I went over to check if he was all right and I said, ‘S**t, you might have broken ribs.’”

After the coach finished talking, his son’s condition worsened.

“I looked over and saw his face was in a bit of pain, and I asked him if he was all right.

“His eyes rolled in the back of his head, I yelled for the ambulance.”

He said his son’s face looked “grey”.

“I held his hand and it felt cold. After an hour-and-a-half, they couldn’t bring him back.”

Dallas Keogh-Frankling and his father, Mark. Picture: 7 News

He has asked for the coroner to investigate to provide answers.

“I told them I want to find out what happened, because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Mr Frankling said.

“I don’t want this to happen to any other kid, I don’t think Dallas would want this either. But I want only good things to come from this.

“Dallas would still want them to play footy instead of not playing footy.

“That’s life, things can happen, accidents can happen, I just don’t want this to affect the footy club.”

Victoria Police said on Saturday that an investigation of the incident was incomplete.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined but the matter is not being treated as suspicious,” a statement said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also passed on his condolences.

“This will be an incredibly difficult time for those families, friends, and people who love those who have been caught up (in this), so we send our best wishes on what will be a challenging time,” he said.