ST KILDA defender Dylan Roberton is alert and eating in hospital after scarily collapsing on field with an irregular heartbeat during his side’s loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

With no players within 10 metres of him, Roberton fell to the ground at the edge of the centre square, before teammates rushed to his aid and trainers helped him from the ground.

Roberton was taken straight to Geelong Epworth Hospital to have scans on his heart.

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Saints coach Alan Richardson revealed the 26-year-old looked to be recovering well on Sunday night.

“He’s at Epworth Geelong and from all reports he’s alert, he’s eating and so certainly for the family members that are home from all reports he’s doing well,” Richardson said.

“It was a bit of a shock (and) it shocked a few of his mates, but he’s doing well at the minute. I’ve never really seen anything like that. My thoughts immediately go towards the player.”

While Roberton is expected to be discharged on Monday, he does not look likely to be returning to the field any time soon with surgery an option.

Roberton receives medical assistance. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“You look at the vision and think there’s been some sort of physical contact (but) there was no one even close to Robbo,” Richardson said.

“You try to get feedback reasonably quickly and there’s not a lot of answers coming back your way, particularly when he’s off to hospital.

“It was really comforting once we were able to get some feedback that he’s OK.”

The St Kilda defenders were keen to find out how their teammate was during the game.

“Henry Playfair let me know the backs are really anxious and just want to know about one of their mates,” Richardson said.

“So it was pretty important we got that information to them.”

Roberton leaves the ground. (AAP Image/Joe Castro) Source: AAP

Geelong coach Chris Scott also said post-match he at one point had his doctors ready to help Roberton, if needed.

“It’s not often you’re talking to your bench about getting our doctor out there for an opposition player,” Scott said.

“It looked terrible, and knowing Dylan personally having coached him at Fremantle, adds another dimension to it.

“It was very concerning. I was surprised that he came off so quickly, because it looked ugly.”

It’s not the first time Roberton has had a concerning medical issue on the field.

After being cleaned up by Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas in 2013, Roberton appeared dazed and confused in an interview with Channel Seven at the half-time break, unable to answer Cameron Ling’s questions before running off.