BALANCING a role in the media industry simultaneously with a deep passion for one AFL club may not be possible; just ask David Schwarz.

The former Demon has experienced the challenge, and there are no prizes for those who guess where his allegiances lay.

“I’m a supporter,” Schwarz told Melbourne Media.

“The analysing goes out the window when it comes to Melbourne.

“I’m very one-eyed and very heavily invested in supporting and believing that we can do it again.

“When you are the premiers, it is a bloody good feeling.”

Schwarz had the opportunity to celebrate his former side’s drought-breaking flag in 2021, 19 years after retiring from the AFL.

‘The Ox’, as he was known, was a freakishly talented forward who played 173 games in the red and blue, and now, his support for the club is higher than ever.

“For the first 10 years or so after I retired I wasn’t heavily invested, but since my kids (aged 15 and 17) have been really passionate about it, my love has gone to new levels,” Schwarz said.

“Last year was obviously awesome and this year is pretty cool.

“To see the kids having so much enjoyment – that’s what footy’s about.”

The Demon Spirit has tied Schwarz and his family to the Melbourne Football Club for over three decades now, and while he doesn’t see all of his past teammates regularly, he likens their bond to that of Year 12 students.

“When you leave you remain friends with a few, but you still know what everyone else is doing,” he said.

“I’ve still got a lot of great mates from footy that I’m still very close with.

“The club was a huge part of my life, so the memories are always fond.

“I miss not being around the boys all the time, but at the same time it’s also a good thing to have your own separation.

“I’ll be going on Friday night with a couple of ex-teammates and our kids, so we’ll be able to sit there and watch it with another generation coming through.

“It’s going to be pretty cool.”

Schwarz began his tenure with the Demons in 1991, giving him front row seats to some incredible talent across his 12 seasons at the top level.

The crafty goal kicker cited Stephen Tingay, Brett Lovett, Todd Viney, Jim Stynes, David Neitz, Garry Lyon and Russell Robertson as some of his greatest teammates, making his time at the club all the more special.  

“I was very privileged to play for a long time and with a great diversity of different skill, different talent and different personalities,” Schwarz said.

“I think that’s what makes up a good footy side.”

And if he could pull on the boots in Melbourne’s Qualifying Final clash with the Swans, there are a few modern-day names he would love to line-up alongside.

“I like the boys that have come back through adversity,” Schwarz said.

“I think Angus Brayshaw has been amazing. We’ve got to remember when his footy career was on the brinks of collapse because of his concussion.

“I like the way Luke Jackson plays because of his basketball background. I can just see a lot of basketball in the way he plays and that was my background.

“I always like watching the Number 5 go around – he goes pretty good.

“The thing I like about Christian Petracca is he’s always got a smile on his face.

“I think he’s a very fair player. I don’t know Christian all that well … but he just looks like a really nice guy.

“I love Jack (Viney) as well. Geez he reminds me of his dad.

“He’s just tough and uncompromising.

“Talk about good people, Jack’s a great kid.

“I think we’re really lucky – the list we’ve got and the quality of person on that list, there’s no surprise it’s successful because they are good people.”

And that’s what fuels Schwarz’s belief heading into September.

“I think our good footy stacks up,” he said.

“When you have won the premiership the year before, every side is coming at you at 100 miles per hour – and I don’t think that can be underestimated.

“Sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to find a higher level.

“I’m confident with how we’re going.”