AFTER almost 40 years of combined service to Melbourne Football Club, club doctors Andrew Daff and Kal Fried have stepped down from their positions.
Daff, in particular, has made a massive contribution, having been a club doctor at Melbourne for 24 years. Fried has also given the club outstanding service, during his two stints totaling 14 years.
But Daff said it was time to move on.
“Over the off-season there have been huge changes in the club’s football department,” Daff told melbournefc.com.au.
“As a result of changes in structure and dynamics I felt it was appropriate I step aside.”
Reflecting on his journey, Daff said he had seen “amazing change” in the game and at Melbourne, yet his favourite memories would always be “based around the people and friendships” he has made at the club.
“The staff, players and supporters - they’ve been terrific over the years,” he said.
“My good mate Spike Harris is now in his 24th year at the club.
“In terms of personal highlights, the 2000 grand final was a wonderful experience - even though the result wasn’t great.”
Daff said the 2000 qualifying final against Carlton when “Cameron Bruce and Brad Green announced themselves”, the 1994 first semi-final against the Bulldogs when “Garry Lyon booted 10 goals” and interstate wins were among his standout matches.
He also relished playing a major hand in Jim Stynes’ 244 consecutive games, being involved in David Neitz’s entire career - from his first match until his 306th and last appearance. Daff also enjoyed seeing Stynes and Shane Woewodin win the 1991 and 2000 Brownlow Medals respectively.
Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab said Daff had “made an extraordinary contribution to our club”.
“I have known Andrew for 24 years, and was involved in his appointment as our under 19s doctor way back in 1988 when I was recruiting manager,” he said.
“As club doctor, he became part of the lives and families of generations of Melbourne people, often when facing their most challenging times.
“He has done this with great integrity, acumen and care. With Kal, they formed a partnership and complemented each other extremely well, both their expertise and their personalities. Whilst unsung, they are great Melbourne people”.
Former player, general manager of football and now general manager of club development Chris Connolly said Daff and Fried had given Melbourne outstanding service.
“Andrew came to the club as the under 19s doctor, and eventually became the president of the AFL medical association, which shows his standing in the industry,” Connolly said.
“He’s been right across medical innovations, and has been one of the great medical doctors in the history of the game - he’s an unsung hero of the club.
“There have not been many servants - players or staff - who have given as much service as Andrew has.
“Kal has also given many great years at Melbourne - he’s done a huge effort - and the responsibility going with both of their jobs has been enormous.”
Connolly added that Daff and Fried had “worked under tough conditions” for most of their time at Melbourne.
“But they were driven by a love of the club and they’ve been great servants,” he said.
“They’ve worked against the odds and gone beyond the call of duty.”
Connolly praised Daff and Fried for the way they coped in pressure situations. He said their ability to deal with James Strauss’ broken leg, sustained against Carlton in round 20 this year, was “outstanding”.
But Daff and Fried were perhaps best known for their efforts in saving Ricky Petterd’s life, when the then first year Demon suffered a collapsed lung against Carlton in round 14, 2007.
“From a professional point of view, having an involvement in saving Ricky Petterd’s life was a highlight,” Daff said.
After starting with Melbourne’s under 19s doctor, Daff was appointed senior team medico in 1991. He became president of the AFL Medical Officers Association in 2007 - a position he has held ever since.
Daff was also doctor for the Victorian State of Origin side in 1994, and the Australian International Rules team in 2001-02. He rated these experiences as being among his highlights.
But receiving Melbourne life membership was also a “buzz and a great honour” for Daff.
He was also deputy director of the Athletes Village Polyclinic at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Daff played amateur football for Collegians and Victoria, represented the Australian schoolboys’ cricket team and played premier cricket with Waverley.
Daff was also full of praise for Fried, who will be the Australian doctor in the 2011 International Rules Series.
“Of my 24 years at the Club, I’ve spent 14 with Kal,” he said.
“Kal has been a fantastic support and partner, with whom I’ve developed a great friendship and working relationship - he’s been terrific for me and the footy club - and I’d like to recognise his contribution.
“I’d also like to thank my wife Merrin, and children Sarah and James, who have been absolutely wonderful and great support to me.
“I wish the Melbourne Football Club all the best as it strives to win its next premiership.”
Daff, in particular, has made a massive contribution, having been a club doctor at Melbourne for 24 years. Fried has also given the club outstanding service, during his two stints totaling 14 years.
But Daff said it was time to move on.
“Over the off-season there have been huge changes in the club’s football department,” Daff told melbournefc.com.au.
“As a result of changes in structure and dynamics I felt it was appropriate I step aside.”
Reflecting on his journey, Daff said he had seen “amazing change” in the game and at Melbourne, yet his favourite memories would always be “based around the people and friendships” he has made at the club.
“The staff, players and supporters - they’ve been terrific over the years,” he said.
“My good mate Spike Harris is now in his 24th year at the club.
“In terms of personal highlights, the 2000 grand final was a wonderful experience - even though the result wasn’t great.”
Daff said the 2000 qualifying final against Carlton when “Cameron Bruce and Brad Green announced themselves”, the 1994 first semi-final against the Bulldogs when “Garry Lyon booted 10 goals” and interstate wins were among his standout matches.
He also relished playing a major hand in Jim Stynes’ 244 consecutive games, being involved in David Neitz’s entire career - from his first match until his 306th and last appearance. Daff also enjoyed seeing Stynes and Shane Woewodin win the 1991 and 2000 Brownlow Medals respectively.
Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab said Daff had “made an extraordinary contribution to our club”.
“I have known Andrew for 24 years, and was involved in his appointment as our under 19s doctor way back in 1988 when I was recruiting manager,” he said.
“As club doctor, he became part of the lives and families of generations of Melbourne people, often when facing their most challenging times.
“He has done this with great integrity, acumen and care. With Kal, they formed a partnership and complemented each other extremely well, both their expertise and their personalities. Whilst unsung, they are great Melbourne people”.
Former player, general manager of football and now general manager of club development Chris Connolly said Daff and Fried had given Melbourne outstanding service.
“Andrew came to the club as the under 19s doctor, and eventually became the president of the AFL medical association, which shows his standing in the industry,” Connolly said.
“He’s been right across medical innovations, and has been one of the great medical doctors in the history of the game - he’s an unsung hero of the club.
“There have not been many servants - players or staff - who have given as much service as Andrew has.
“Kal has also given many great years at Melbourne - he’s done a huge effort - and the responsibility going with both of their jobs has been enormous.”
Connolly added that Daff and Fried had “worked under tough conditions” for most of their time at Melbourne.
“But they were driven by a love of the club and they’ve been great servants,” he said.
“They’ve worked against the odds and gone beyond the call of duty.”
Connolly praised Daff and Fried for the way they coped in pressure situations. He said their ability to deal with James Strauss’ broken leg, sustained against Carlton in round 20 this year, was “outstanding”.
But Daff and Fried were perhaps best known for their efforts in saving Ricky Petterd’s life, when the then first year Demon suffered a collapsed lung against Carlton in round 14, 2007.
“From a professional point of view, having an involvement in saving Ricky Petterd’s life was a highlight,” Daff said.
After starting with Melbourne’s under 19s doctor, Daff was appointed senior team medico in 1991. He became president of the AFL Medical Officers Association in 2007 - a position he has held ever since.
Daff was also doctor for the Victorian State of Origin side in 1994, and the Australian International Rules team in 2001-02. He rated these experiences as being among his highlights.
But receiving Melbourne life membership was also a “buzz and a great honour” for Daff.
He was also deputy director of the Athletes Village Polyclinic at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Daff played amateur football for Collegians and Victoria, represented the Australian schoolboys’ cricket team and played premier cricket with Waverley.
Daff was also full of praise for Fried, who will be the Australian doctor in the 2011 International Rules Series.
“Of my 24 years at the Club, I’ve spent 14 with Kal,” he said.
“Kal has been a fantastic support and partner, with whom I’ve developed a great friendship and working relationship - he’s been terrific for me and the footy club - and I’d like to recognise his contribution.
“I’d also like to thank my wife Merrin, and children Sarah and James, who have been absolutely wonderful and great support to me.
“I wish the Melbourne Football Club all the best as it strives to win its next premiership.”
