A SUBURBAN football club is reeling after the sudden deaths of two young footballers in a week.

Ferntree Gully Football Club's Niall Hargreaves, 17, died suddenly on Saturday evening.

It came less than a week after the death of fellow player Jake Fitzsimmons, 23.

Niall was part of the Eagles' under-17 back-to-back premierships in 2015 and 2016 and was a member of the club's under-15 grand final win in 2014.

The talented sportsman also represented Victoria in rugby league at a junior level and played cricket at Kilsyth Cricket Club, where he won two Ringwood District Cricket Association batting averages in the under-14s and under-16s.

Dr Stephen Carbone, policy, research and evaluation leader at beyondblue, said it was important for people to talk about their emotions following suicide.

"Suicide is distressing and confusing," Dr Carbone said.

"Bottling these emotions up is not the solution — talking to others is.

"Suicide is a tragedy that can have a ripple effect on anyone who knows the person.

"Providing support after a suicide can help people grieve and prevent others from taking their own lives."

Ferntree Gully Football Club posted on its Facebook page on Sunday evening it had been "shocked and saddened" by the news.

"On behalf of the Ferntree Gully Football Club our thoughts and prayers go out to Jake's and Niall's friends, teammates and most importantly their families," the post stated.

President Sam Cavarra told Leader the club was organising counselling for its players.

"It is not just the family but it affects multiple families and players at the club," Cavarra said.
"The consequences are far-reaching.

"It is not just our club and it extends into the senior club as well, it is not just the juniors."
Fitzsimmons had been at the club since the start of the 2014 season but did not play this year.

Cavarra said Niall's teammates, some who attend St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully, were a tight-knit group following their junior premierships.

"The mood is sombre, it is probably the best word to use.

"It is a very close-knit club and we have heaps of people that are ringing me asking what can we do to help."

A GoFundMe page has also been established to raise money for the Hargreaves family.

A memorial service for Fitzsimmons will be held at Boronia Football/Cricket Club at Tormore Reserve from 4pm tomorrow.

The Eastern Football League has held a beyondblue round for the past four years, aiming to build mental health resources in clubs and promote the work of the organisation.

beyondblue has also created an app, BeyondNow, to help people when they need it most.

The app aims to keep people safe when they experience suicidal thoughts, including coping strategies, reasons for living and ways to make their environment safe.

If you need to talk to someone, phone beyondblue's 24-hour support service on 1300 22 4636.

The organisation's call-back service can be contacted on 1300 659 467 for people bereaved by suicide.