# Alex Elisala > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alex_Elisala > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alex_Elisala.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Elisala > Source revision: 1318464916 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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](/source/Auckland), New Zealand |death_date = {{death date and age|2013|4|29|1992|8|17|df=y}} |death_place = [Mackay, Queensland](/source/Mackay%2C_Queensland), Australia |height = {{convert|177|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}{{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}} |weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |teamA = [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) |yearAstart = 2013 |yearAend = |appearancesA = 1 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |updated = |source = {{cite web|title=Alex Elisala|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Alex-Elisala/summary.html|publisher=Rugby League Project}} |new = yes }} '''Alex Elisala''' (17 August 1992 – 29 April 2013) was a [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) international [rugby league](/source/rugby_league) footballer who was contracted to the [North Queensland Cowboys](/source/North_Queensland_Cowboys) at the time of his death. He primarily played as a {{rlp|hk}}. ==Early life== Elisala was born in [Auckland](/source/Auckland), New Zealand, and moved to [Woodridge, Queensland](/source/Woodridge%2C_Queensland), Australia when he was one year old.{{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}} Of [Samoan](/source/Samoans) descent, he played his junior rugby league for the [Logan Brothers](/source/Logan_Brothers_Rugby_League_Football_Club),{{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}} before moving to [Townsville, Queensland](/source/Townsville%2C_Queensland). Whilst there he attended [Ignatius Park College](/source/Ignatius_Park_College), and became close friends with future Cowboys teammate [Michael Morgan](/source/Michael_Morgan_(rugby_league%2C_born_1991)).{{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}} ==Playing career== Elisala played 69 games for the Cowboys in the [National Youth Competition](/source/National_Youth_Competition_(rugby_league)) from 2010 to 2012. He started his NYC career as a {{rlp|fb}}, and {{rlp|wg}} before moving into the {{rlp|hk}} position.{{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}} He represented the [Queensland under-20 team](/source/Queensland_under-20_rugby_league_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](/source/Mackay_Cutters), in the [Queensland Cup](/source/Queensland_Cup). On 20 April 2013, he debuted for the [Samoan national team](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) in their [Pacific Rugby League International](/source/Pacific_Rugby_League_International) match against [Tonga](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_league_team). ==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](/source/Mackay_Base_Hospital), and put on life support.{{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}} 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](/source/Tweed_Heads_Seagulls). ===Reaction=== The Mackay Cutters retired jersey number 14, which Elisala had worn regularly off the interchange bench, for the remainder of the 2013 season.{{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}} A minute's silence was observed at [Parramatta Stadium](/source/Parramatta_Stadium) on 4 May 2013 prior to the Cowboys' NRL match against the [Parramatta Eels](/source/Parramatta_Eels). The Cowboys players also wore black armbands during the game to honour Elisala.{{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}} Following the suicide of [Wests Tigers](/source/Wests_Tigers)-contracted [Mosese Fotuaika](/source/Mosese_Fotuaika) on 28 February 2013, Elisala's death by suicide provoked scrutiny of the NRL's welfare systems for young players.{{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}} ==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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alex Elisala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Elisala) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Elisala?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.