A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich after a neck injury two weeks ago.
The campaign aims to raise $75,000 for the former-Essendon AFL player after being injured whilst playing against Toora.
The fundraiser, set up by Essendon Football Club vice president and former player Andrew Welsh, said Winderlich "has sustained damage to the spinal cord" and "a long road to recovery ahead."
More than $55,000 has been raised so far, with Essendon contributing $10,000 to the cause.
Thorpdale players have contributed to the effort by donating their match payments from the Toora match, which was abandoned partway through the second quarter after the incident.
After colliding with an opposition player, Winderlich sustained a broken neck and was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he later underwent surgery.
Since then he has returned home and is undergoing rehabilitation in his road to recovery.
He has already been able to walk again, albeit with assistance.
Thorpdale club president Keith Pickering said Winderlich was "in reasonable spirits."
"He's already up and about which is good but he's got a long haul. He still has some tendon damage," Pickering said.
"Given what's happened he's doing as good as can be expected."
Pickering said the club had got around their coach and would continue to support him in any way they could.
Winderlich was supposed to take part in an annual Essendon charity match on Friday night before the senior side took on the Sydney Swans.
Since then some of the funds raised have been diverted to help him in his recovery.
To donate, head to www.gofundme.com/f/supportjasonwinderlich