FOOTBALL is littered with powerful stories. Melbourne is not exempt.

The club has been blessed to have the tales of the likes of Ivor Warne-Smith, Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott, Norm Smith, Ron Barassi and Jim Stynes leave an indelible mark in the game’s annals.  

But one of the more confronting, yet compelling stories from within the red and blue dynasty – which doesn’t necessarily spring to mind – is that of David Schwarz.

In many ways, his narrative is as powerful as they come. It’s a film script waiting to happen.

For the now 40-year-old has experienced extremities so high and low – personally and professionally – that for him to be at a content point in his life is an absolute credit to him and to those who have helped him along his journey.

As a player, ‘The Ox’ was on the cusp of superstardom. Some say he was up there for a period. Post-career, he was on the verge of death or jail. The fact that he was on the edge on both extremes in many ways sums up much of Schwarz’s life. 

But that’s only a snapshot of his story.

Some would say he was a fully fledged star of the competition following his outstanding 1994 season.  

In 1994, Schwarz took the most marks in the competition, and booted 60 goals. He kicked nine goals against the Sydney Swans in the final round, and played two scintillating finals against Carlton and the Western Bulldogs respectively, which are vividly remembered by the football fraternity today.   

Schwarz’s career soon took a sharp turn, however, when three knee reconstructions halted his career in the mid 1990s. Remarkably, in 1999, he bounced back to win Melbourne’s best and fairest and represent Victoria in State of Origin.

The fact that Schwarz even got to the highest level was a feat in itself, given he endured the horrendous experience of watching his father murdered when he was an eight year-old.  

As a teenager, Schwarz was exposed to gambling. Soon, an addiction was forged. It went right through his playing days and post-career, until he hit what he described as “rock bottom”.

Today, he shares his story, openly and honestly, with a range of people. This includes AFL players with gambling issues or those vulnerable. He also works closely with cricket and the NRL.

Not surprisingly, Schwarz is poignant when he reflects on much of his life.   

“I feel sad,” he told melbournefc.com.au. 

“Whilst it’s OK at the back end, I did a lot of damage through the middle of it. It’s not an uplifting story. It’s a warts and all story.

“It’s like [people in] society, you can tell players the pitfalls, but some of them are going to have to learn the hard way. Hopefully, we can minimise that and minimise the ones who are on the edge or are thinking about getting towards the edge and giving them the right tools to say no.”  

At 7 am on Wednesday morning at AAMI Park, Schwarz spoke to the first and second year Melbourne players, plus a handful of other young Demons, as part of their high performance program. The course, coordinated by development coaches Paul Satterley and Andrew Nichol, in conjunction with SEDA (Sports Education and Development Australia), falls under the welfare area overseen by Craig Lees.

The players and coaches who sat through the one-hour talk were captivated.

There wasn’t any sugar-coating from Schwarz. It was straight to the point, but when required he provided humour to break up the enormity of his story.

He didn’t hold back. His gambling addiction was the main focus. But he also touched on the unimaginable situation involving his father. How anyone would deal with that, only a few would know.

Schwarz said not having a Dad was “f****** hard”. But he added that his Mum was a rock and an incredible tower of strength.

From an early age, his Mum told him not to gamble. Schwarz’s father had been a punter, and it had impacted the family.

At 14, Schwarz won his first bet: $58.50 at Mooney Valley.

He felt invincible.

From that point on, until he was 32 years old, Schwarz gambled every day of his life. He finished the game with zero dollars.

He recounted a story where he left his best mate’s wedding to open a nightclub which he started. Schwarz says now that to up and leave as best man was “the most disgraceful thing I’ve ever done”. 

Ironically, his worst decision in 2003 also turned out to be his best.

Once at the nightclub, he met his future wife, Karen.

Although Schwarz said Karen knew he was a liar, she soon started to help turn his life around.

Schwarz said the tipping point came following a disastrous punting experience on a South Australian race meet. From that point on, once he sought help - largely from his wife - it took him six years to clear up his debts.

On May 3 this year, Schwarz will have been clean for eight years, even though road blocks are still in place.

Still, once he gave up punting and all forms of gambling, other addictions came into play. For example, he smoked two packets of cigarettes a day for two and a half years. He quit smoking and took up coffee, drinking 22 double shots a day. He was adamant he never took illegal drugs, fearing he would become hooked.

“I’d play golf and it’d be six times a week,” Schwarz said, emphasising his addictive personality.

No question, he has regrets.  

He says it’s “a “f****** disgrace” he left Melbourne with three friends: Garry Lyon, Shane Woewodin and Guy Rigoni, yet played with more than 270 Demons.

Schwarz said he was oblivious that he was a “cancer in the club” during his career, and is embarrassed to say that he has more memories of punting during his football career than his feats on the field.  

“And that’s bulls****,” he said.

He said he “felt so nervous” returning to the club where he played 173 matches and kicked 243 goals for from 1991-2002. That’s understandable, given his issues in the past. But he was frustrated to say that it was “f****** bull**** because I should feel as though it’s part of my house”.

Returning to the club as a guest speaker was part of the healing process.

“I’m not a nervous speaker, so I never have a real issue with it. When you haven’t been back in a formal situation for a long time – or ever – I was a bit nervous,” Schwarz said.

“I thought ‘will I change it (my talk) or how will I do it?’ But what’s important for them is … I’m a part of the story.

“I don’t know too many faces behind the scenes [at the club these days]. I know the players because I watch them on a regular basis, but you don’t know them intimately and you don’t know which buttons to push. But it’s great to be back.”

What’s most important to Schwarz today is family. It’s his No. 1 priority.

He loves his wife, kids and Mum to bits. They mean the world to him.

Schwarz said his Mum did it “f****** hard”, because “for 16 years, she’d seen someone else”. Not her son. 

He also credited Melbourne for helping him tap back into the important values learned during his football career.

“Who I am today is because of the Melbourne Football Club – friendships and what’s important in life,” he said.

He implored the young Demons of today not to make the same mistakes he had made, and to respect their “privileged position”. Schwaarz estimated he would’ve been worth $20-30 million now had he not blown his money on gambling.

Still, he was empathetic to the scrutiny and expectations placed on today’s players.

“Footy’s not an easy sport, but it’s bloody rewarding,” he said.

At the conclusion of his talk, Schwarz had the players and coaches deep in thought. You could’ve heard a pin drop – when there wasn’t the odd laugh – throughout his talk. And it was Schwarz’s delivery, ability to communicate in non-corporate claptrap and personal story that hit the mark.

“I always put myself back in the same position as them, when I was playing. If someone came in and spoke about an issue such as this or a racism issue or whatever, I’d almost put the shutters up,” he said.

“I think footy has changed a lot in the last dozen years. Players now have to be more educated and more diligent with issues, whether it’s social media, betting, drugs or respect for women. Whatever the issue, they better understand it and now accept that it’s part of footy.

“When I was playing, I was forced upon it, but now, it’s in your face. But players realise, if you don’t get it right, you’re going to be front page of the Herald Sun and I don’t think any player wants it.”

And Schwarz should know, having been on the front of the Herald Sun 13 times throughout his life.

But the steps he has made to address his lifestyle have been significant – greater than any feat he achieved in the red and blue.

Still, his return to the club, albeit in a visiting capacity, was another important step for the much loved Demon.

He felt good sharing his story with the new wave Demons. And they felt privileged to hear it. You couldn’t help but be moved by his story.

For, even if his inner demons have been put to rest, he will always remain a Demon at heart.