AFL champion Matt Rendell is fighting for life after suffering a heart attack 

AFL champion and Fitzroy legend Matthew Rendell is fighting for life after suffering a heart attack

  • Matt Rendell is in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital
  • Former AFL grandmaster suffered a heart attack this weekend
  • The 64-year-old made 164 appearances for Fitzroy during a decade at the club

Former AFL great Matt Rendell is in critical condition after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

According to Seven newsthe 64-year-old was rushed to hospital in Melbourne after collapsing while walking his dog.

Rendell made his debut in the SANFL, before joining Fitzroy in 1981 and making 164 appearances for the club over the next decade.

A two-time Fitzroy club champion, the sterruckman captained the club for three years and was included in the all-Australian squad in 1983 and 1987.

After initially opting to retire, Rendell joined the Brisbane Bears after his stint with Fitzroy ended. He played a season in Queensland before hanging up his boots.

Matthew Rendell is in critical condition after suffering a heart attack in Melbourne

The AFL great made 164 appearances for Fitzroy in a decade at the club between 1981 and 1991

The AFL great made 164 appearances for Fitzroy in a decade at the club between 1981 and 1991

He remained in footy after his retirement, joining St Kilda as an assistant coach and then taking on the role of recruiting manager with the Crows in 2007.

During his spell in Adelaide, he helped build the Crows side that finished second in 2012, losing to Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final by five points.

In the same year, Rendell was forced to resign following comments about the recruitment of Indigenous players and subsequently joined Collingwood for a short period in a similar role.

Rendell has since been a regular on Trade Radio and SEN, giving his opinion on AFL listings.