This is how lifelong friend Leigh McKenzie remembers all-time great Ballarat basketballer and decorated St Kilda footballer Jeff Dunne.

Dunne died unexpectedly in his adopted home state of Tasmania on Monday after suffering a heart attack. He was 64.

Dunne grew up not far from the City Oval in Ballarat, developing into one of the city's most talented sportsmen.

While he would ultimately be best known for his deeds with St Kilda in the VFL (AFL), it was as a basketballer that he made his biggest impact in his formative years.

McKenzie attended Sebastopol Technical School with Dunne and played basketball alongside him in a run of premierships with Exies Acmy through their teenage years, and in Ballarat and Victoria Country representative teams.

McKenzie described it as a golden era for Ballarat basketball, with half of the Vic Country squad to finish third in the nationals in 1975 being from the city - Dunne, Fred Reus, Trevor Bennett, John Warren and himself.

"They were great days. He was a great mate and teammate. We were fortunate to have a lot of success together and forge a lifelong friendship."

When Dunne was not playing basketball, football was a major part of his life.

He started out with YCW juniors and had his first taste of Ballarat Football League seniors with a handful of games with Beaufort in 1973.

Dunne chose North Ballarat as his football home in 1974.

He quickly made an impression and in 1977 joined St Kilda, making his senior debut as a 21-year-old.

The bearded Dunne established himself in a back pocket and went on to be one of the Saints' best of that era.

He played 101 games in seven seasons - winning back-too-back best and fairests in 1979 and 1980, and wearing the Big V on four occasions.

Dunne tried his luck at Richmond in 1984, but managed only one game.

He returned to North Ballarat, playing in a premiership and taking his game tally to 81.

Dunne was also a successful businessman, establishing the Painters Pot - a venture he would take to Tasmania when he and his family relocated to Launceston.

He continued his involvement in basketball and football there, coaching North Launceston.

Dunne is survived by his wife Sue, sons Simon, Glen and Reece, and daughter Ashlee.

Dunne made his last visit to Ballarat in February this year, getting together with former basketball teammates to celebrate the 80^th birthday of their Exies Acmy coach Ken Mann. The occasion is pictured above.