David Williamson

Just attended a business breakfast that David Schwarz spoke at, and wow... he was far more articulate than he is on radio and TV.

He had the whole room's full attention for 45 minutes telling his remarkable story. Most of the talk was around his gambling addiction, and most of it was in his book but it is so much more powerful hearing it in person.

Many of you will have heard or read most of this, but I find some of it quite amazing (the good and bad).

Some points:

- Daniher's reaction to Schwarta suggesting he may retire after whacking Andrew Welsh. Verbatim: "Good, f$%^ off."

- Regrets getting his teammates mixed up with the wrong crowd, mafia etc.

- Regrets only having three mates from Melbourne days - Garry Lyon, Woey and Riggers.

- Talked about his education - has a Science degree from Deakin and a masters in marketing from Melbourne. Didn't know this. But he said any AFL player that finishes their career without a tertiary qualification is a "stupid dhead".

- Freo offered him $1.4M at the end of '93 or '94. He took this offer to Melbourne and they matched it. $700K over the table, $700K in a paper bag. But we knew this. Played 17 out of the possible 88 games and got paid the whole lot, but such is the story - blew it all.

He really has turned it all around with the support of his family, namely his Mum and wife Karen. Owns half of his Camberwell home worth $2.5M and his house at Barwon Heads.

I went up to him afterwards and just said thanks for the playing highlights, something that gets overlooked in his story. Although he didn't reach the Wayne Carey pre knee heights he was a great player for the club. I think he still has regrets on his playing days, but taking into account his injuries he achieved a lot.

He said he still doesn't feel comfortable with going back to the club, which is disappointing.

Although he admits to being a real jerk back then, you can't help but like the fella now!

Well done Dave...i just sent that too my Filth Mates Facebook page...He will be Furious!!!!

Haha. That's the spirit!

The filth supporters i've sent it too have had a bit of a laugh.

I've think they've mostly accepted that he'll get weeks.

This was fun to put together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNu-fztgC5E

Have a look at Fitzpatrick's date! I knew I should have been a footballer instead of an Accountant!

Not sure if the pic worked, but if it doesn't, here's the link:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gallery-e6frf9o6-1225913492421?page=7

Ahh.. That would be Jake Spencer.

Don't be a tool. Harris has done a fantastic job. He can only go on what Judd's manager has told him.

You are very easily pleased. He is not having a good run. This was a terrible press release. He paints us as the biggest walkover. Inciting no respect for our club.

The real question is "Would Judd have come to Melbourne if our Facilities were up to scratch"?

I think there is something more to his decision, like some big under the table payments. I hope the ATO keep a close eye on him.

I would not be surprised Mick.. But this not the first time we have heard complete and utter garbage come out of Steve Harris' mouth. Get some good people in the back office. Harris is hopeless. I am really angry about this one.

On top of everything else, I am so disappointed in the club's reply.

"We are so glad he considered us", "It was a great sign that he considered us"...

Weak Melbourne... Weak. Who are the idiots in the bloody PR dept???

he should have said.. "Chris is missing out on a great opportunity to be involved with a fantastic club. For this we feel sorry for him."

So come on, all those who had really good strong sources and were positive Judd was coming to Melbourne... tell us what went wrong...

I have no idea. I always thought he was an idiot putting that kind of money on. I think the reasons for Judd not coming to Melbourne were exactly as stated. Until we get our acts together we will always be mediocre.

If I was Judd I might have chosen Collingwood, but I would not have flirted with Melbourne only to shove it back in their faces. That is a disgrace.

I also have a huge feeling that he changed his mind over the weekend. After all the crap about melbourne being the club of choice you can be sure Collingwood and Carlton would've gone back and thrown all kinds of rubbish at him. On top of that, I don't think Judd is actually the most confident bloke, i'd say Rebecca would've had a huge influence on his decision.

Seriously what an absolute joke. Weak as [censored]. Must have changed his mind over the weekend. Absolutely soft option. Carn the bloody dees, stick it up him. Hate this guy now. Hate him.

To be honest I was really worried that we would sell the farm for him. I now put all my faith in Bailey. Get it done mate.

I agree with you Diablo... Too many people very confident Melbourne will be missing out, no real evidence to the contrary.

We will have to wait and see - but it will hurt.

The people I know that have put coin on, don't have much. That gives me confidence in their belief and sources. Chris Judd will be a Demon next year. I just fear we are going to have to give up too much.

I feel ashamed that I don't have a mate that knows Clark Hansen.

Look, I can't win on any Judd rumour and it's doing my head in like everyone else. I've just waxed lyrical about why I reckon he'll be a Demon only to received info from 2 different people in the last 30 minutes that he prefers Collingwood. One of them with credible information. And yes, I won't divulge.

Does that mean he won't be a Dee ? No. Even if he prefers the Pies a deal still has to be done, etc. I know this doesn't help.

See.. It's not hard. What you just said then helped more than your summation. I'm not trying to bignote, I am like you, just bloody nervous about a player that could ridiculously change the fortunes of our club. More off field than on.

Yes, and I was giving some credence to your post. Yet you took it the wrong way.

Ahh.. I don't think many people would have seen it that way. The only thing you gave credit to was the fact that all rumours are about Melbourne. Having said that.. you just keep telling us things we already know. Do you have any info regarding the late plunge on Collingwood?

It's very tempting to believe every rumour that paints Melbourne in a positive light, and ignore every rumour that says he's not coming to our club.

If your source is indeed correct, and Judd's parents really did tell Ashley Hansen's parents that he is going to Melbourne, then that is probably as good a source as you are ever likely to get.

I know it might seem like a silly question, given that you are posting on a Melbourne website, but are you a Melbourne supporter?

I only ask because you're a brand new member of Demonland and you are wearing a pair of WCE shorts apperantly!

I'm happy to wear any shorts of any team. Especially when just going for a kick with mates. I am very much a Melbourne supporter. I am a moderator on Demonology, and an 11 year member of the MFC.

All the rumours that you shouldn't take note of are about the Dees, such as D Williamson's about Hansens parents for an example. There's none of those about any other club, they're all about the Dees.

I've named my source mate. Which is far more than what anyone else suggests. The guy who put the bet on has lived up the road from the Hansens all his life. Played footy with Ash at Northvale Football Club. I'd say its a fairly direct source. As I post this I am wearing a pair of WCE footy shorts courtesy of Ash Hansen. It should be noted.

For what its worth, when I heard on Friday that we were a shoe in I was still very sceptical. And even more so following the market shift for Collingwood. These deals are never done until they are signed off on.

No what I'm saying is that there has already been a massive swing towards us. I'm saying that our odds shortening from 2.50 to 1.70 in the past 24 hours is probably down to mugs, and people shouldnt read too much into it from now on (in terms of where Juddy will go).

I agree that he is our man, however.

Let's hope he is.. I just found out a mate of mine put 7500 on melbourne at $2 after hearing from Ashley Hansen's parents who heard from Mr and Mrs Judd senior that he is def a melbourne player in 2008.

Scary, scary bet.

Johnson's efficiency in his 23 touches was what won it for him. Far ahead in the afl.com.au rankings at the end of the game. Johnson did most of his work when the game was up for grabs.

And I am not being biased just because he is my best mate's cousin and we both had $50 on him at $22!!!!!! for the norm smith. I love Grand Final week!!!!

As I put elsewhere Deers, I wouldn't read to much into the betting, unless it's a ) suspended or b ) there is a massive swing. Several major sources have put it out there that its as good as done, and now all the mugs are getting on us whilst there is still a chance of multiplying your money.

Also, Judd won't announce he has decided until he calls the press conference or whatever he's planning to do to put the word out, so I wouldn't read too much into that.

Mate, Melbourne has come in from an opening quote of $9, and now into 1.70. Carlton opened at $1.25 and out to 2.50 now. If you don't call that a massive swing, I don't know what is. And before all this hype the Dees were already into $3. He's our man.

I was one of the lucky ones who got on at $8.50. I put a $100 free bet from sportsbet on it. I'm looking forward to a lovely collect.