Sheahan Ink: Paul Dimattina reveals ‘financial armageddon’ amid depression and chemo battle

Former AFL champ turned publican Paul Dimattina says his venue is haemorrhaging $28k a week as he battles depression while undergoing chemo.

Newsbreaker Tony Sheahan, delivers the top footy goss in his new column Sheahan Ink

Jonathon Patton is keeping the door ajar for a return to Sydney at year’s end to kickstart a career in real estate.

The recently retired AFL star is currently studying for his real estate license and is basing himself on the Gold Coast, where he is working with prestige real estate agency Kollosche.

Patton in action for the Hawks. Picture: Sarah Reed

One high-profile agency in the exclusive suburb of Woollahra identified the 28-year-old as a potential gun in the field, due to his charisma, gregariousness and innate ability to mix with anybody from the milkman to the millionaire.

Patton’s decision to move to the Gold Coast was the result of a sexting scandal while at the Hawks, which saw him in hospital for close to six weeks while suffering anxiety and depression. He and the club thought it best to part ways.

Now, Patton says he is back to normal, enjoying relative anonymity in Queensland and soaking up the vitamin D away from Melbourne’s AFL bubble.

Patton played 95 AFL games, 89 for the Giants and 6 for Hawthorn during an injury-ravaged career.

AFL CHAMP’s COVID CHEMO

AFL champion Paul Dimattina has revealed the true extent of heartache he, his family and workers face as the state of Victoria extends lockdown for Covid-19, labelling the dire situation “financial armageddon”.

The publican detailed this week his exclusive South Melbourne establishment, Lamaro’s, is haemorrhaging 28 grand a week, he is in the grips of depression, receiving chemotherapy and his kids haven’t stopped crying as a result of the lockdown.

The high profile ex-footballer has become somewhat of an unofficial spokesman in the media calling out the state government, but never has he been so giving, so raw and so emotional about the challenges he’s faced and is facing.

“This is soul destroying,” the former Richmond and Western Bulldogs’ player said, unable to open his doors to the public.

Paul Dimattina undergoing chemotherapy as he battles a neurological disease.

“So many of these small hospitality venues don’t have that much money and they’re going to cop it like they’ve never copped it before, because there is no Jobkeeper or rent relief.

“It’s financial armageddon for businesses here.

“I’m 28k in the hole, 28 thousand a week. I have my wages, my rent and utilities to pay.

“But the main reason I’m so stressed and depressed is my kids. They balled their eyes out when the government said we are going into another lockdown and not going to school. They literally lost their shit.” the father of three told Sheahan Ink.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino announced Thursday the coronavirus was still yet to be contained and Melburnians would face an extension of restrictions.

Dimattina’s son is studying year 12 and loves playing Australia Rules football, he fears the football season will be lost to lockdown again, and his two sisters couldn’t stop crying at the prospect of not going to school, seeing friends or playing sport.

“They’re beside themselves with fear. The kids fear a repeat of last year, but I’m trying to keep them upbeat and positive. Now they are talking about a mental health crisis like you wouldn’t believe.”

Even 131 games of AFL football and a very healthy exercise regimen couldn’t stave off a serious medical condition that almost crippled Dimattina last year.

Dimattina is furious at the repeated lockdowns that are costing him a fortune. Picture: Alex Coppel

Facing the prospect of losing his business in 2020 due to the lockdown, his nervous system capitulated under the stress, sending him to hospital, dealing with a neurological condition that affected the nerves in his face, his speech and at times his ability to breathe.

A very emotional appearance on Sky News revealed the severity of Dimattina’s battle.

He is still receiving chemotherapy for the disease.

Doctors are treating him the same way they would a blood cancer patient.

The stress Dimattina revealed is not just contained to his wife, kids and business, but his staff, with many living week to week.

“My casual staff are stuffed. They have rent, have to feed themselves and without money how the hell do they do it?”

Dimattina in his Bulldog days.

“I’m really concerned for their futures, for everybody in hospitality. People will turn to whatever they can to put food on their table so you can pay your rent. For some … this could lead to crime, to selling drugs, to prostitution.”

“I’m not exaggerating, it’s going to get worse and worse,” Dimattina said.

He is also bullish for those uncertain about receiving the Covid vaccine.

“Just get it, people need to get it, people need to get vaccinated. I’ve had the AstraZeneca jab and I haven’t had a blood clot.

“I’m not an anti-vaxxer but if that’s what it’s going to take to so we don’t have to stay home and be locked away, then do it.

“Otherwise we are going to keep getting locked away.”

Dimattina believes the lawmakers are lacking common sense when determining the restrictions for the residents of Victoria.

He cites NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian as a shining light, confining the virus to certain areas by closing down certain suburbs and shires, not locking up the entire state.

“Look after the vulnerable and the elderly, but the rest of us, let us out of the house, lockdowns are not the solution. You’re messing with our lives.

“If I didn’t have three kids, I’d be gone (interstate) in a heart beat”

TENNIS STARS SHUN TRADITION

Aussie tennis sensation Daria Gavrilova faces a nervous wait as Covid threatens to derail her third attempt at marriage with the love of her life and fellow pro tennis player Luke Saville.

The loved up 27-year-old tennis stars have already postponed their nuptials twice and are anxiously awaiting good news from the Victorian state government, so they can lock away their special day for late December.

Affectionately known as ‘Dasha’, the adopted Aussie born in Russia says she feels for the brides that were forced into postponing or cancelling their weddings as a result of lockdown 4.0.

“I feel really bad for anybody who had a wedding last weekend or this weekend because it’s horrible,” Gavrilova said Thursday.

Daria Gavrilova. Picture: AFP

Luke Saville. Picture: Getty Images

“We are just really hoping we don’t have another friggin’ change where everything gets cancelled and anything could happen.”

Gavrilova and Saville are opting for a low-key affair that friends and family can enjoy, with tradition thrown out the window.

“I told Luke ‘let’s have our wedding here (in Melbourne’s CBD) and Luke couldn’t care less where we get married’,” she said.

“We are not going to have that many traditions. We still haven’t decided whether we are going to exchange the vows yet. Apart from yes, I don’t know what else I’m going to say.”

“Both of us aren’t that romantic so I’m going to make it nice and short and then celebrate,”

“I’m thinking I’m going to walk myself down the aisle. I don’t understand why anyone has to have someone walk them down the aisle.“

Deep down, Gavrilova would secretly love her father Alexey to be able to travel to Australia from Russia in order to walk her down the aisle, but with so much uncertainty around border restrictions, she is resigned to not having him here.

“I have decided that I’m not going to hold out hope he is going to come. Tourists can’t, so at this stage I’m like he is not coming.

“It sucks. It could be worse, others have had their weddings postponed.”

Gavrilova’s dress is from a top end boutique in Armadale and wants to keep the designer, colour and style a secret for the big day.

If the wedding proceeds as planned, the pair plan to honeymoon at the 2022 Australian Open where they will both vie for a shot at the Grand Slam title.

AFL EXPOSE BOOK SELLS OUT

Michael Warner’s explosive new book, ‘The Boys Club’, is running off the shelves with a second reprint already under way.

Just two days after the release of Warner’s expose that lifted the lid on the AFL’s backroom scandals, the book was number one at certain book stores in Melbourne, with many others selling out.

Publisher, Hachette, says “nationally it’s number seven in Dymocks and eight on Booktopia”.

“The Boys Club’ rocketed to number one with Readings and appeared in the top ten bestseller lists of national retailers Dymocks and Booktopia. Bookshops around the nation are already reordering to meet demand as readers are drawn to this explosive and forensically researched book on the AFL industry by one of Australia’s finest journalists, Michael Warner,” the publisher’s spokesman told us.

Jesinta Franklin. Picture: Tim Pascoe

SHEAHAN INK’S Partner of the Page

JESINTA FRANKLIN

This week’s POP is Buddy Franklin’s baby ‘mumma’ and model Jesinta.

The wife of the Sydney Swans star has just delivered the couple’s second baby, Rocky, 10 weeks ago, and has since moved homes from their Rose Bay pad to a brand new multimillion-dollar apartment nearby.

The welcome addition of Rocky for the pair gives big sister Tallulah a little brother to play with.

Jesinta is credited with being a calming influence on her superstar husband since Buddy’s shock move from Hawthorn to the bright lights of Sydney, signing with the Swans until the end of 2022.

The 29 year old deserves a medal!