THE WESTERN Bulldogs have lost one of their club greats with the passing of former premiership star Jack Collins.

Collins died of a heart attack early Sunday morning, just hours before he was due to meet with fellow members of The AFL Premiership Club in Melbourne.

The 78-year-old was a former champion for the red, white and blue, but was just as well known for his work off the field among ex-players.

On the field, the one-time star goalkicker helped lead his club to its only premiership back in 1954.

He booted 385 goals from 154 games and was used in a variety of positions throughout his career from 1950-58, with premiership Bulldogs captain and coach Charlie Sutton paying tribute to his former teammate.

“There was only one better player at Footscray and that was Whitten,” Sutton told The Herald Sun. “That was my high opinion of him. Jack played in every key position for us. He kicked seven goals in a Grand Final and 10 in an interstate game.

“He was a good all-rounder, he could just about play any position. And when he did, he played a very dominant part.”

Collins, who played in 13 finals for his club, is named as a forward pocket in the Bulldogs Team of the Century.

Former Collingwood and Essendon star Des Tuddenham said Collins would be sorely missed.

“Jack of one of those guys who was prepared to work for the AFL life members, the golf days we had, the bowls day we have and the cricket day we have at the MCG,” he said.“All the functions we have were initiated by Jack Collins. He was a wonderful man.

“We all know what he did in that 1954 Grand Final when he kicked seven goals, he told us every day.

“Jack really has been a wonderful man for football and we have lost a great friend, a great man and a great footballer.”