The young family of 24-year-old Aaron Mahoney are "devastated and in shock" after the senior footballer died on Saturday following an on-field tackle near Colac, south-west of Melbourne.

The Otway Districts Football Club captain was tackled in a game against Lorne when he dropped to the ground.

Aaron Mahoney. Credit:Facebbook

Spectators and club officials attempted to revive Mr Mahoney, a father of two young children, until paramedics arrived.

He died at the Gellibrand Recreation Reserve, Gellibrand about 3pm on Saturday.