THE footy club was the best place for Daniel McIntyre to have his heart attack.

Daniel, 24, a playing assistant coach at Cobram Football Club in the state's north, was setting up witches' hats during training when he collapsed twice.

But in an instant three trainers, two of whom are nurses, were at his side.

Cobram trainer Steve Tomlinson said he didn't have time to think of the potential consequences.

"The boys said they saw him looking a bit grey then he collapsed. He got himself up, took a step and collapsed again - then they rushed him to us. When I saw he wasn't breathing I just started performing compressions.

"It was not until the paramedics got here and started calling for MICA units and helicopters that I realised he had a heart attack. I just kept working until they got him breathing again," said Mr Tomlinson.

Daniel was taken to the Northern Hospital in Epping on August 1 and placed in an induced coma. He made a full recovery and was reunited in hospital with the two of the three trainers who saved his life.

"I had a lot of sleepless nights after the heart attack," Mr Tomlinson said. "But seeing him up and about in hospital was just a huge relief."

Daniel McIntyre (centre) with the trainers who saved him, including Steve Tomlinson (far right). Picture: Chris Scott
Today Daniel was back at Cobram's home ground for the first time, to see his team's final game. And he told how thankful he was that there were people at the club who knew how to react.

"Really, if it happened anywhere else I would not be standing here today," he said surrounded by his mates.

"I was lucky there were people around me who know what to do and they saved my life. I could not have picked a better spot for it to happen or better people to have around to help me out."

Yesterday he got the chance to express his gratitude in person.

"I can't thank them enough, they should be proud of what they did and to see me walking around hopefully brings them joy," Daniel said.

"It has also been really meaningful for me to see them and the chance to express how grateful I am."

Specialists are still trying to work out the exact cause of Daniel's heart attack but now suspect that he has a heart defect.

Doctors are confident he will make a strong recovery, but they also fear his playing days may be over.

"It might force an early retirement," Daniel admitted.

"Contact sport, especially footy, could be too great a risk for me now."

By James Dowling

Article first appeared The Sunday Herald Sun, August 25 2013