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West Coast AFL great Peter Matera has suffered a heart attack in Victoria and is now recovering in hospital.

West Coast AFL great Peter Matera is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The 53-year-old suffered the heart attack on Sunday and was rushed to hospital, where he reportedly had two stents inserted.

"He's in hospital in Bendigo right now ... two stents in his heart and rehabilitating as we speak," Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie told Perth radio station 6PR.

Matera's scare comes after a series of tragic heart attacks among Australia's sporting royalty.

Former Test stars Shane Warne and Rod Marsh died in March, while ex-WA cricketer Ryan Campbell is lucky to be alive after suffering a cardiac arrest in April.

Matera's brother and former Eagles teammate Phil is set to fly to Victoria to visit his older sibling.

Flag-winning Eagle Guy McKenna is also planning to visit his former long-time teammate in hospital.

"The club is saddened by this news and wishes Peter a speedy and full recovery," West Coast said in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with Peter, Suzy and his family, who have requested for their privacy to be respected at this time."

Matera is one of West Coast's all-time greatest players, having won two premierships and five All-Australian jumpers during his glittering 253-game AFL career.

He also won the 1992 Norm Smith medal for his breathtaking five-goal display in the club's 28-point grand final win over Geelong.

Matera's long-range goals in that decider were the stuff of folklore, with his performance ensuring West Coast became the first non-Victorian club to win an AFL flag.

"We would always say it's us against them," Matera reflected in 2012 during the club's 20-year anniversary of that 1992 premiership triumph.

"We had that desire after losing the year before (to Hawthorn).

"There was no way we were going to lose that grand final with all of us getting behind each other.

"We were like brothers in a way, because for those first three, four years, it was us against them.

"The group we had for those reunions was just awesome, because the bond is so strong."

Matera spoke about his love of taking on opponents and kicking long-range goals..

"At the MCG, I know Suma (Peter Sumich) was going to be angry when I didn't kick it to him and I (just went) for goal," Matera said.

"But on that big occasion, I just loved hearing the crowd and your name being screamed out.

"So if I was in range, I loved bouncing the ball for 20m and going for it from about 50m."