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

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

According to Seven News, the 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 going on to play 164 games for the club over the next decade.

A two-time Fitzroy club champion, the star ruckman captained the club for three years and was named in the all-Australian team in 1983 and 1987.

Having initially opted to retire, Rendell joined the Brisbane Bears after his spell at Fitzroy ended, playing one season in Queensland before hanging up his boots.

The AFL great played 164 games for Fitzroy in a decade with the club between 1981 and 1991

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

During his stint in Adelaide, he helped build the Crows side that finished second in 2012 and lost by five points to Hawthorn in the preliminary final. 

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

Rendell has since become a regular presence on Trade Radio and SEN offering his views on AFL lists.