Footy player saved by mates after heart stops in training

A young footy player has been saved by his mates after he went into cardiac arrest yesterday at training.

Luke Ferguson, 26, collapsed just before 7pm yesterday at the Penshurst Football Club.

His quick-thinking teammates have been praised for their action, performing CPR and using the club’s defibrillator.

For more than 20 minutes people performed CPR, unable to detect a pulse.

He was eventually revived and rushed to Geelong University Hospital in a critical condition.

His condition has since improved to stable.

"The effort by everyone was fantastic," Club President Brenden Cottrill told 9NEWS.

"Thank God we had the defibrillator.

"It could've been worse, without it, Luke might've lost his life."

Mr Cottrill said his thoughts were with Mr Ferguson's family, who are going to visit him in hospital today.

The club has had the defibrillator for five years, part of a roll-out in the Mininera and District Football League.