David Schwarz concerned for welfare of former teammate Garry Lyon over Billy Brownless fallout
THOSE closest to Garry Lyon had noticed the withdrawing of the Melbourne great in recent months, according to ex-teammate David Schwarz.
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THOSE closest to Garry Lyon had noticed the withdrawing of the Melbourne great in recent months, according to ex-teammate David Schwarz.
It has been revealed that Lyon is battling mental health issues and at this stage won’t fulfil his Channel 9 commitments, which include co-hosting The Footy Show and a seat on the Footy Classified panel, amid a fallout with Bill Brownless over a relationship with Brownless’ ex-wife Nicky.
Schwarz, who played alongside Lyon between 1991 and 1999, said his former captain has been “absent” in recent times.
“In the last year and a half, the club and ex-teammates and people at the Melbourne Football Club have noticed and realised that Garry has been absent,” he said on SEN on Monday morning.
“He’s angered a lot of his ex-teammates because he hasn’t returned calls, he has been very aloof, which is very unlike Garry. Usually he was to the minute with getting back to you and being available and putting his hand up to really help you out.
“He was concerning for a lot of teammates – they weren’t sure where he was at and were dismayed. They felt let down because he’d been such a reliable pillar throughout many, many years. That had stepped right away and we hadn’t seen that of Garry before.
“In light of what we know now, there was obviously a fair bit going on.”
Schwarz, who battled a long gambling addiction both while playing and post-football, said Lyon was “one person that I could go to”.
He described the current situation as a “tragedy” for both families involved, and has encouraged people to rally behind all parties.
“It’s a tragedy because now two families are torn apart,” Schwarz said.
“We’ve got two blokes that are best mates. When I went to Garry 10 years ago he said to me that in the media, you’ll be able to trust a few people and maybe one or two with everything you’ve got. I remember him distinctly telling me that Billy Brownless, for him, was that person that no matter what happens with Bill, you could always rely on Bill to be there and to cover you and tell him everything that you needed to and it wouldn’t go any further.
“For that to happen, and there’s only one reason for that, and that’s shocking decisions that have been made by concerning adults that have crossed the line and probably ruined relationships and are probably past the point of no return. Unfortunately, great relationships are now probably ruined forever.
“For Melbourne people, I know they’ll rally.
“It’s time that people get around Billy and Garry and try and get their families through this shocking time where poor decisions have been made.”
He said he knows that people will “come for” Lyon.
“They’ll come for him, and probably rightly so in some respects,” the former Melbourne forward said.
“But this is a matter by concerning adults, behind closed doors and we’ve just got to help them navigate their way through. Whatever happens, happens.”
* If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au/gethelp
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