AFL 2023: Family of SANFL, Norwood youngster Nick Lowden reveal frightening change before his
The parents of Nick Lowden, a young AFL star who took his own life, have revealed their son’s mental health deteriorated after suffering a concussion five years ago.
The AFL world paid tribute to the SANFL premiership player, 23, who died last week.
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Nick’s family have donated his brain to scientific research into concussion in the wake of his death, according The Advertiser.
His parents Tony and Kerry, as well as his sisters Elena, Chelsey and Cailin, revealed that their son’s temperament changed after he suffered a concussion at 18 while playing for Gippsland Power.
“He was talking double dutch after that game, he kept asking the same three questions a million times, we were very concerned,” Kerry said.
“We don’t lay any blame on anyone, but from that point on we noticed his mental health really start to deteriorate.”
Kerry added that Nick began to lose weight, became disengaged at school and was sidelined for six weeks.
“It really devastated and frightened us because he was going downhill,” Kerry said.
“That was the year he wanted to showcase his talents to be drafted and we all just kept trying to encourage him.
“He didn’t get drafted and of course that happens, but from that point on we sort of had a five year battle with his mental health.”
Although Nick wasn’t drafted in his teenage years, he was determined to get in front of the eyes of AFL recruiters.
He moved interstate to play for Norwood and played 22 League games across two seasons with the club in 2022 and 2023.
But after an injury-riddled season in 2023, Nick texted his parents to say he “wasn’t coping” and was heading home.
“We always dropped anything to talk to him when he said he was struggling,” Kerry said.
“We really were adamant we wanted to fly him back because he was sliding, but he wanted to drive, maybe for a chance to clear his head.”
Nick attended a club function at Traralgon Football and Netball Club and training with the senior team on August 1 upon his return, but Tony revealed it was the last time the family had contact with him.
“He asked us when we were coming home and we told him Thursday, and of course, that’s when we found him,” he said.
Now a week after his death, the Lowden family wants others to speak out if they need help.
“He would look at other people who were lighthearted, but we would say, you don’t know what goes on, they could be putting on a facade,” Kerry said.
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“There’s this image in our society that we seem very big on that everyone is super successful with material things, all the nonsense rather than the real raw human connection that is vital in your life.
“He would say ‘Does it help?’
“Of course it does, when we speak out, we feel united, we feel camaraderie and you don’t feel alone.”
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