A young suburban footballer has died after he collapsed on the field during a game in Melbourne's north.

Northern Saints reserves captain Mohammed Allouche, 22, died in the Alfred Hospital after he collapsed immediately after kicking a goal in a match against Avondale Heights at Fawkner on Saturday.

Northern Saints president Mick Caruso said he called the ambulance after he saw Mr Allouche kick the goal and collapse.

He said the player he knew as "Moe" was much loved, and everyone at the club was devastated.

"Moe is a lovely kid around the club," Mr Caruso said.

"He spent a few years in our juniors and just recently became a senior player and he was liked by everyone around the club. Just a character."

Friend Abdul El-Rafei said he had known Mr Allouche his whole life, and that he was a "captain of the club, not just the reserves".

He said Mr Allouche died in his arms.

"He got a free kick and went back and kicked a goal, and he came towards me and put his hands up to give me a high-five, and gradually he started dropping," he said.

"That was it. He literally fell into my arms, that's life ... he's a good soul, and he goes to the heavens.

"I don't think I'll play football every again."

Mr El-Rafei gave credit to the trainers who "tried their best" to revive Mr Allouche.

'Our hearts are heavy': Northern Saints

The football club posted a message on its Facebook page on Sunday morning saying the club was in "a state of mourning".

"Our hearts are heavy, our eyes welling with tears, our sympathies go out to Moe's mother and father and siblings," it read.

"We will never forget the inconsolable scenes we witnessed yesterday.

"We are deeply shocked and in a state of disbelief at this time, it is hard to talk without a stutter and tremble in your voice.

"Moe was our captain of the seconds team, a person that wasn't only popular and loved, but a person at only the tender age of 22 that commanded respect from people young and old.

"This is why he was the captain and leader."

The Essendon District Football League (EDFL) said medical staff immediately treated Mr Allouche with a defibrillator before the ambulance arrived.

The league sent its deepest condolences to Mr Allouche's "family, teammates, and club, and all those affected by this tragedy".

Loading

Tragedy coincides with defibrillator announcement

Mr Allouche's death came on the same day the Victorian Government announced it would roll out 1,000 defibrillators to local sports clubs across the state.

Players and supporters of the Northerm Saints Football Club are mourning the loss of the 22-year-old. ( ABC News: Emma Younger )

Minister for Sport John Eren said the Government had allocated $2.7 million in the budget towards grants for the devices, which clubs could apply for from July.

"When cardiac arrest strikes, there isn't a second to waste," Mr Eren said.

"More than a dozen Victorians suffer cardiac arrest every day.

"Immediate CPR, easy access to equipment and a clear emergency plan is the key to making sure an emergency on the field doesn't become a tragedy."

Around 30,000 Australians suffer cardiac arrest each year and fewer than 5 per cent survive, the Government said.

The EDFL said all senior football clubs in the league already had defibrillators.

Mr Allouche was the second young footballer to die on field this season, following the death of Otways District Football Club captain Aaron Mahoney after he took a hard blow to the chest.

A defibrillator was also used on Mr Mahoney, but he could not be revived.