Footballer, 22, dies after collapsing on field

A young man has died after suffering a heart attack on the field during a suburban football game in Melbourne.

A spokesperson for The Alfred Hospital confirmed Mohammed Allouche, 22, died several hours after suffering the cardiac arrest.

The Northern Saints player collapsed during the Essendon District Football League clash against Avondale Heights.

Ambulance crews were called to Charles Mutton Reserve and performed CPR on the ground.

Essendon District Football League general manager Marc Turri said the Saints player had just kicked a goal and was celebrating when the heart attack occurred.

Trainers and medical staff from both teams rushed to his side and started performing CPR before the ambulance arrived.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time," Essendon District Football League general manager Marc Turri said.

Mr Allouche's cousin said he was a wonderful kid who was loved by many, and cherished by his family.

"He put his heart and soul into everything he ever did. He was a young kid going places and his life was cut short tragically," Khalid Abou-Eid told Fairfax.

"He will be sorely missed by a lot of people. The last thing he did in life was kick a goal," he said.

Essendon District Football League general manager Marc Turri said that Mr Allouche had simply kicked a goal and turned to celebrate, and that’s when he collapsed.

“There was nothing untoward. There was no body contact from anybody," Mr Turri said.

“It was a young, fit, healthy player.

“It’s just not the sort of thing you would expect to hear. You’d never predict it.

“We are talking about a player who they tell me is as fit as a Mallee bull, young and well-liked around the club.

“It’s the last thing anybody would have been anticipating.”