{{short description|New Zealand rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Alex Elisala |fullname = |image = 200px|Elisala representing the Queensland under-20 team |image_size = |caption = |position = {{rlp|HK}} |birth_date = {{birth date|1992|8|17|df=y}} |birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand |death_date = {{death date and age|2013|4|29|1992|8|17|df=y}} |death_place = Mackay, Queensland, Australia |height = {{convert|177|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=cowboys-profile>{{cite web|title=Alex Elisala|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/playerprofiledisplay/Cowboys/Alex%20Elisala/1974|publisher=cowboys.com.au|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205022410/http://www.cowboys.com.au/playerprofiledisplay/Cowboys/Alex%20Elisala/1974|archivedate=5 February 2013}}</ref> |weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}<ref name=cowboys-profile /> |teamA = Samoa |yearAstart = 2013 |yearAend = |appearancesA = 1 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |updated = |source = <ref>{{cite web|title=Alex Elisala|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Alex-Elisala/summary.html|publisher=Rugby League Project}}</ref> |new = yes }} '''Alex Elisala''' (17 August 1992 – 29 April 2013) was a Samoa international rugby league footballer who was contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys at the time of his death. He primarily played as a {{rlp|hk}}.
==Early life== Elisala was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Woodridge, Queensland, Australia when he was one year old.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 April 2013|title=Partner's emotional tribute to dead NRL player|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/8614337/Partners-emotional-tribute-to-dead-NRL-player|publisher=stuff.co.nz|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref> Of Samoan descent, he played his junior rugby league for the Logan Brothers,<ref name=herald>{{cite web|last=Garry|first=Chris|date=30 April 2013|title=North Queensland Cowboys player Alex Elisala dies, aged 20|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/north-queensland-cowboys-alex-elisala-player-on-life-support/story-e6frfgdf-1226631619185|publisher=Herald Sun|accessdate=29 April 2013}}</ref> before moving to Townsville, Queensland. Whilst there he attended Ignatius Park College, and became close friends with future Cowboys teammate Michael Morgan.<ref name=morgan>{{cite web|last=Lutton|first=Phil|date=20 May 2015|title=Michael Morgan overcomes tragic loss of Alex Elisala to roar into Queensland Maroons ranks|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/state-of-origin/state-of-origin-michael-morgan-overcomes-tragic-loss-of-alex-elisala-to-roar-into-queensland-maroons-ranks-20150520-gh62q0.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref>
==Playing career== Elisala played 69 games for the Cowboys in the National Youth Competition from 2010 to 2012. He started his NYC career as a {{rlp|fb}}, and {{rlp|wg}} before moving into the {{rlp|hk}} position.<ref name=dm>{{cite web|last=Frost|first=Pamela|date=29 April 2013|title=League community mourns loss of Cowboy Alex Elisala|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/cowboy-alex-elisala-life-support-mackay-hospital/1847493/|publisher=Daily Mercury|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref> He represented the Queensland under-20 team on 21 April 2012. In 2013, Elisala progressed into the Cowboys' NRL training squad. He began the season playing for their feeder team, the Mackay Cutters, in the Queensland Cup. On 20 April 2013, he debuted for the Samoan national team in their Pacific Rugby League International match against Tonga.<ref name=abc />
==Death== In the early hours of Sunday, 28 April 2013, paramedics and police were called to a Mackay CBD hotel where Elisala, 20, was found unconscious and not breathing after plunging from a hotel balcony.
Elisala was admitted to Mackay Base Hospital, and put on life support.<ref name=abc>{{cite web|date=29 April 2013|title=Young Cowboy dies in hospital|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-29/young-cowboy-passes-away/4657876|publisher=ABC|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref><ref name=dm /> He died the following evening after his condition worsened and his life support system was turned off.
Elisala had most recently played for the Cutters on Saturday night, scoring a try in their 22–22 draw with the Tweed Heads Seagulls.<ref name=herald/><ref name=dm />
===Reaction=== The Mackay Cutters retired jersey number 14, which Elisala had worn regularly off the interchange bench, for the remainder of the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frost|first=Pamela|date=1 May 2013|title=Cutters retire Alex Elisala's jersey for season|url=https://www.qt.com.au/news/cutters-retire-alex-elisala-jersey/1849759/|publisher=Queensland Times|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref> A minute's silence was observed at Parramatta Stadium on 4 May 2013 prior to the Cowboys' NRL match against the Parramatta Eels. The Cowboys players also wore black armbands during the game to honour Elisala.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frost|first=Pamela|date=3 May 2013|title=Game will pause to remember Cowboy Alex Elisala|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/game-will-pause-to-remember-elisala/1853281/|publisher=Daily Mercury|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref> Following the suicide of Wests Tigers-contracted Mosese Fotuaika on 28 February 2013,<ref name=herald /> Elisala's death by suicide provoked scrutiny of the NRL's welfare systems for young players.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Glenn|date=4 May 2013|title=The mind game: playing with an invisible pain|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/the-mind-game-playing-with-an-invisible-pain-20130503-2iyf6.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=11 April 2017}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elisala, Alex}} Category:1992 births Category:2013 deaths Category:New Zealand rugby league players Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Samoa national rugby league team players Category:Samoan rugby league players Category:Mackay Cutters players Category:Rugby league hookers Category:Suicides in Queensland Category:Rugby league players from Auckland Category:2013 suicides Category:Suicides by jumping in Australia