GEELONG coach Chris Scott says the club will do anything it can to support former Cats VFL player Casey Tutungi, who has been pronounced a quadriplegic after an accident during a local football match on June 22.

Tutungi played 41 games for Geelong's VFL team between 2009 and 2012.

He was an emergency for last year's VFL Grand Final, in which the Cats defeated Port Melbourne.

The 27-year-old, whose partner Bridget is pregnant with their first child, was injured while playing in the Geelong league with South Barwon, where is co-coach.

"It's devastating," Cats coach Chris Scott said on Tuesday morning. "We're all in a state of shock, to be honest.

"Unfortunately, there's not much you can do in situations like these.

"But everyone in the Geelong community, and particularly in the Geelong footy club, will be racking their brains to work out ways in which we can help the Tutungi family.

"It's as sad a situation as you can possibly imagine."

Tutungi developed a close bond with many of the Cats' younger players during his appearances in the VFL.

"They're finding it tough," Scott said. "They're finding it extremely tough. I apologise, I'm lost for words a little bit.

"It's just a brutally hard situation to face for everyone involved, and our heart goes out to Casey and his family.

"We'll try to as much as we can, but at the moment it's a horrible feeling of helplessness."

The Tutungi family released a statement on Tuesday, which read: "There has been an outpouring of love and support for Casey from our local community and the wider Geelong region.

"We are humbled by the response and this is testament to the respect and admiration Casey has earned.

"We would like to thank all our family, friends and the many people who we have never even met - for their concern, prayers and well wishes at what is an extremely difficult time for us."

The Casey Tutungi Future Fund has been established to provide him with the equipment and care he will require in the future.

Anyone wishing to donate can visit caseytutungi.com or visit any branch of the Bendigo Bank and ask to make a donation to the Casey Tutungi Future Fund.

TUTUNGI FAMILY STATEMENT
Our son Casey Tutungi, player and co-coach of the South Barwon Football Club, was placed in an induced coma at the Geelong Hospital on Saturday 22 June, following a clash with an opponent during the last few minutes of the game against St Joseph’s in the Geelong Football League.

Casey was returned to full consciousness a few days later and has undergone a number of tests, scans and surgical procedures in the spinal unit of the Austin Hospital. It has been confirmed he has suffered severe spinal cord damage at the C4/C5 junction. On Friday the medical staff at the hospital gave us the prognosis no parent of an active, strong, vital 27 year old wants to hear. Casey has been diagnosed as a quadriplegic.

Casey loves football. Ever since he pulled on his first pair of boots for the Lorne Football Club as a junior, he has lived for the game. He is a former Geelong VFL-listed player, and won numerous awards during his career, playing for Lorne, Springvale, Geelong and South Barwon clubs and various representative sides.

There has been an outpouring of love and support for Casey from our local community and the wider Geelong region. We are humbled by the response and this is testament to the respect and admiration Casey has earned. We would like to thank all our family, friends and the many people who we have never even met - for their concern, prayers and well wishes at what is an extremely difficult time for us.  

We especially wish to support Casey’s partner Bridget who is expecting our first grandchild in November.

Casey is receiving the very best of care from the experienced and dedicated staff at the Austin Hospital, Spinal Unit. He is in acute care with regular medical monitoring which means visiting hours remain strictly limited.

A website has been established together with a Facebook page to enable the many people interested, obtain current information on Casey's condition and progress. Casey has taken the many messages of support and encouragement as a source of strength. Please keep them coming.

A trust fund has also been established for Casey's future. The fund will assist in providing Casey with the essential equipment he will require. Anyone wishing to donate can visit caseytutungi.com or visit any branch of the Bendigo Bank and donate to the "Casey Tutungi Future Fund".