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Source: Photosport -
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The family of a promising young Australian league player allegedly king hit at a weekend birthday party has turned off his life support.
Todd Parnell, 22, suffered brain damage after an alleged disagreement at a friend's birthday party in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A 21-year-old man appeared before Caboolture Magistrate's Court on Tuesday charged with causing grievous bodily harm, and was remanded until August 12 when he will now face an upgraded charge of murder.
Parnell was the Bribie Island Warraguls' five-eighth and a member of the Brisbane "baby" Broncos squad.
He played for the Broncos Queensland Cup feeder club Norths before deciding he wanted to play football with his mates at Bribie Island this season.
His death has shocked and saddened the rugby league community.
South Sydney winger Jamie Simpson dedicated his hat-trick of tries against the Roosters on Monday night his former junior teammate.
Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak said the club was deeply saddened by news of Parnell's death.
"We recruited Todd to the club in 2005 and he was a really nice young kid," Henjak told Ten News on Tuesday.
"I'm very saddened by it.
"There are some boys here that knew him very well and a few of the staff and they've all been affected in a pretty bad way by it."
Parnell, who was married, had scored two tries in his team's 18-all draw with Nambour on Saturday.
He was attending a birthday party at Bribie Island Leagues Club that night when he was knocked unconscious.
Police believe he was involved in a dispute with one person before another man allegedly stepped in and hit him.
Sunshine Coast-Gympie Rugby League chief executive and former Queensland Origin player Billy Moore said he was saddened by the news of Parnell's death.
While the incident happened off the football field, Mr Moore said it was a tragic reminder to everyone to be aware that one punch can kill.
