Footballer in critical condition after sustaining head injury during match in Lalor

A 27-year old man is in a critical condition after sustaining a serious head injury during a local match in Melbourne's north this afternoon.

Victoria Police confirmed emergency services were called to Lalor Reserve at Sydney Crescent at about 1pm, after a "man sustained a serious head injury during play".

The player was taken to hospital, where he is in a critical condition.

The match between the Epping and Lalor Reserves was abandoned after the incident, with the senior game also cancelled.

'Really shaken souls'

Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis said the injury happened when one of the Epping players went in for a tackle of a Lalor player, colliding with his teammate who went to do the same thing.

Mr De Vincentis said there was a "clash of heads" between the two, before the injured player fell to the ground, landing on the cricket pitch in the middle of the oval.

He said the incident had resulted in "quite a few really shaken souls" around the club, but said the members were supporting one another.

Mr De Vincentis said the club had decided to proceed with a planned function on Saturday night, so that "everyone was together... rather than being on their own" after "a really tough day".

He praised the responses of both Lalor and Epping football clubs' medical teams, with the head medic doing CPR until emergency services arrived and took over.

"It was really incredible that in the moment, despite how shocking it was, the way the medical teams from both clubs handled it," he said.

'Football comes second'

In a post on social media, Lalor Football Netball Club said it extended its "thoughts and best wishes to the player, their family, teammates and the entire Epping community".

"We wish them a full and speedy recovery," the club said.

"We would also like to sincerely thank the players, coaches, officials, medical personnel, emergency services and supporters from both clubs who assisted and supported those involved throughout the incident.

"Football comes second on days like these. Our focus remains on the wellbeing of the player and everyone involved."

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