Grandmother of Dallas Keogh-Frankling who dropped dead after footy game reveals last conversation

Shattered grandmother of teen footy player who dropped dead after collapsing during match reveals her heartbreaking last conversation with him

  • Dead teen’s Nan reveals their last conversation
  • Dallas Keogh-Frankling collapsed after the game
  • Nan says the teen would like the team to continue

The grandmother of a teenage boy who collapsed and died after a football match in the country of Victoria has revealed her heartbreaking last conversation with him.

Castlemaine Soccer player Dallas Keogh-Frankling, 17, collapsed in the changing rooms on Saturday after an away game against the Kyneton Tigers in the Bendigo League under-18s.

He was taken to Kyneton Hospital in critical condition but died before he could be flown to Melbourne.

His heartbroken grandmother, Margaret Keogh, was at the game this weekend and has spoken of her last conversation with her grandson.

“Dallas called me Friday night,” Keogh recalled 7 News.

Margaret Keogh, grandmother of footballer Dallas Keogh-Frankling, has revealed her last conversation with the young footy star

Dallas Keogh-Frankling collapsed in the dressing rooms last weekend after an away game against Kyneton Tigers in the Bendigo League under-18s

Dallas Keogh-Frankling collapsed in the dressing rooms last weekend after an away game against Kyneton Tigers in the Bendigo League under-18s

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

“Umm…I’m feeling a little swindled, a little flu-ish.”

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

Keogh-Frankling was injured in a tackle towards the end of the last quarter, but played through the rest of the game.

However, he quickly deteriorated in the dressing rooms and soon became unresponsive before being rushed to hospital.

In light of the tragedy, it’s uncertain if Castlemaine’s match against Golden Square will go ahead this week.

But the teen’s grieving grandmother believes Dallas would like his side to continue to compete without him.

“I’m sure he would say, ‘Play because I want to play’. He would,’ she said.

Mark Frankling (pictured with Dallas) says he only wants good things to come out of the tragedy

Mark Frankling (pictured with Dallas) says he only wants good things to come out of the tragedy

“He was the prettiest, prettiest boy.

“I find it very difficult to accept that this tragedy has happened.

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

The boy’s father, Mark Frankling, said he only wanted “good things” out of the tragedy.

“Dallas still wish they (his teammates) would play footy instead of not playing footy,” he said.

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

The coroner is now investigating Keogh-Frankling’s death.