Australian Rules Football has lost one of its biggest and brightest names.

Lou Richards has died at the age of 94.

The former Collingwood star, who played 250 games at the highest level, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon.

He captained the Magpies to the 1953 premiership.

But Richards’ impact on public life went above and beyond what happened on the football field.

He became a media sensation upon retirement.

Premier Daniel Andrews has offered the Richards family a state funeral, but says it will be up to them to make final decision.

Tony Jones was extremely close with Richards and paid an emotional tribute on 3AW.

‘We just seemed to hit it off and were the best of friends, even though the age difference was about 40 years,’ Jones said on 3AW.

‘He did more for football than just about any other person I can think of.’

Click PLAY below to hear Tony’s emotional tribute on 3AW

Murray Weideman played in the 1953 premiership under Richards and said he was a fantastic leader.

‘There’ll never be another Lou,’ Weideman told Sportsday.

Click PLAY below to hear his tribute