Vic footballer critical after collapse

An Australian rules footballer remains in a critical condition in hospital after collapsing during a game in Melbourne's north.

The 22-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during the Essendon District Football League reserves match in Fawkner between Northern Saints and Avondale Heights.

The Saints player collapsed immediately after kicking a goal, the league said in an official statement on its website.

"The thoughts of the EDFL community are with the player and his family at this time and we request that the privacy of the player and his family be respected," the league said.

The club's medical staff attempted to revive the man with a defibrillator before paramedics crews were called to Charles Mutton Reserve at 12.08pm.

The senior match was called off.

An Alfred Hospital spokesman said the man remained in a critical condition.