FORMER Geelong player Paul Brown has woken up in hospital, but has no recollection of the attack that put him there in a serious condition.

On Tuesday morning, former Cats star Billy Brownless confirmed his ex-teammate was now conscious.

Brownless said he had spoken to Brown's wife.

"The main thing here is that he is going to be OK," Brownless told radio station Triple M.

"He's conscious, he woke up, he's got no idea what happened. He's got a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain."

Brown, who played 84 games including the 1994 and 1995 Grand Finals, was rushed to hospital after allegedly being king hit in Shepparton on Friday night.

He rushed to the aid of a woman in distress, before the attacker turned on him.

Brown was allegedly king hit and fell backwards, hitting his head on the concrete pavement.

The 46-year-old was taken to Goulburn Valley Hospital, and later rushed to The Alfred Hospital after his condition worsened.

A 19-year-old man from Shepparton was arrested and will face court on January 11.