The 15-year-old collapsed after a tackle during the Tigers’ match against Tumut Blues on Sunday.

He died on Wednesday afternoon, 72 hours after he was airlifted to Canberra Hospital and placed in an induced coma.

Efforts to bring him out of that coma proved fruitless and Lui’s family – father Gino, mother Jenny and brother Joey – made the heartwrenching decision to remove life support.

The popular Jugiong teenager, who graduated to the Gundagai under 16s side this year after playing juniors with the Harden Hawks, has been remembered as a kid who loved his family, friends and football.

Gundagai Tigers secretary Martin Hay told The Daily Advertiser that Lui was dedicated to his new club both on and off the field.

“It's been such a blessing to have him here. He's one of the best kids I've ever come across,” Mr Hay said.

“Just last week, Lui offered to take a book of raffle tickets for a Harley Davidson we are raffling off and he sold it in two days.

“He was a super footballer who was very fast, a very good defender and a great ball-player.

“He was always first to training and last to leave, and he will live on forever with us.”

Tigers vice-president Steve Rose echoed Mr Hay’s sentiments.

“Lui was a very enthusiastic player who always gave 100 per cent in everything he did,” Mr Rose said.

“He and his family only joined the club this year and are well loved by everyone. They attend every game and even though they’ve only been here a short time, it feels as if they’ve been here forever.

“Lui was very popular among his teammates and was an absolute credit to his family.

“We’re all doing it pretty tough down here at the moment and his teammates will miss him greatly.”

Country Rugby League chief Terry Quinn last night paid his respects to the talented Lui, and called for the football community to come together in such a tragic time.

“On behalf of Country Rugby League, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies and support to everyone affected by the tragic loss of Lui Polimeni,” Mr Quinn said in a statement.

“This is a truly tragic event that has broken the heart of the rugby league family and we need to band together for everyone in this time of grief.”

Junior and senior teams from Lui’s former club will dedicate this weekend’s matches to their young star.

“The Harden Hawks family would like to send our deepest sympathy to Jenny, Gino and Joey Polimeni, the Gundagai Tigers RLFC, Harden Hawks Juniors, Lui's family and friends for the loss of young Lui,” a post on the Harden Hawks Facebook page said.

“Our thoughts are with you all at this awful time. This Saturday the whole of the Harden hawks will dedicate their games to Lui. Fly high and may you rest in peace Lui Polimeni.”

Further afield, the Moruya Sharks will wear black arm bands on Sunday in Lui’s memory and in support of the Polimenis and the Tigers.

Gundagai High School students will wear black and gold on Thursday in memory of Lui.

Meanwhile, social media has been inundated with messages of support to the Polimeni family.

The tragedy comes from the same weekend a Newcastle footballer, 35-year-old Damian Jobson, was rendered a quadraplegic after breaking his neck in several places while going in for a tackle during a match at the weekend.