West Coast legend Peter Matera is recovering in hospital after reportedly suffering a major heart attack in Victoria over the weekend.
Matera’s brother Phil travelled to Victoria after the incident and told SEN WA Breakfast on Tuesday the footy great is “up and about and feeling much better today” and is keen to have a shower and get out of the ICU.
Speaking to 6PR in Perth on Monday, former Eagles teammate Brad Hardie revealed Matera, who has been living in Victoria since 2018, was rushed to a Bendigo hospital where doctors placed two stents placed in his heart.
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Seven News reported Matera’s wife Suzy saved his life.
“Fortunately his partner Suzy was close by; if he was by himself, he wouldn’t have made it,” Seven’s Adrian Barich said on Monday.
“He was in a lot of pain and told he may not have survived a flight to Melbourne.”
The Eagles released a statement on Matera’s health issue on Monday.
“The West Coast Eagles confirm that dual premiership player Peter Matera, who now resides in rural Victoria, suffered a heart attack on the weekend,” they said.
“Peter, a dual Eagles premiership player and Norm Smith medallist in the 1992 triumph, is currently in hospital where he is receiving the best of care.
“The club is saddened by this news and wishes Peter a speedy and full recovery. Our thoughts are with Peter, Suzy and his family, who have requested for their privacy to be respected at this time.”
Matera represented West Coast in 253 games after making his AFL debut in 1990, winning two premierships with the club.
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The wingman was also awarded the 1992 Norm Smith Medal following the club’s maiden premiership triumph.
The five-time All-Australian was inducted into the AFL Hall Of Fame in 2006.
Earlier this year, cricket legend Shane Warne and Rod Marsh suffered fatal heart attacks, while former Australian wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell is recovering from a series of cardiac arrests in April.
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