Alan Didak Biography

THE Hells Angels bikie accused of gunning down a good samaritan who went to the rescue of a woman being assaulted may have been high on ice at the time of the fatal shooting.

A Melbourne court was also told yesterday that star Collingwood AFL player Alan Didak would be a key witness in the case against accused killer Christopher Wayne Hudson.

But Mr Hudson's lawyer told the court that Didak's "credibility is very much an issue".

Alan Didak provides a police statement detailing his experience after being offered a lift home from Christopher Wayne Hudson whom he met at the Spearmint Rhino strip club.

"He held the gun in his right hand and showed it to me," Didak said in his statement.

"I didn't know what to do, I didn't want to upset Huddo in any way, so I sort of gave him a half smile to acknowledge the fact that he had the handgun.

"Huddo put down the driver's side window and put his right arm out the window.

"Even though the music was blaring I could hear Huddo firing shots from the handgun.

"I don't remember how many shots Huddo fired, but by this stage I was s----ing myself."

Hudson has pleaded guilty to firing shots from his handgun while in a Mercedez Benz with police in pursuit over the Bolte Bridge.

Alan Didak commits to a new two-year deal with Collingwood.

Behaviour clauses that had been applied to his existing contract are no longer stipulated in his new contract.

"I feel pretty good. Probably this time last year I thought my career was at the crossroads, so it's good to finally get the deal done," Didak said.

"It's obviously been a long journey, but a good one so far. It takes me to 10 years at the club, and I'll get life membership after that, so exciting times and we're in a good position to be in the finals.

Heath Shaw is arrested for drink driving during the weekend when he is understood to have lost control of his vehicle and driven into parked cars.

His blood alcohol reading at the time is said to have been .144, almost three times the legal limit.

Collingwood have stopped short of suspending Shaw but have decided, instead, to fine him $10,000.

"There is no excuse and we're sick and tired of this behaviour," an angry Eddie Mcguire, president of the Magpies said.

"He's not a five-year-old, he is a grown man and must take responsibility. Mick breaks his neck week in and out and is dragged down by clowns. Enough is enough."

As part of his punishment, Shaw is made to front the media to explain his action where he claims that an unnamed friend was in the passenger seat of his car.

Reports, however, later reveal that friend to be Alan Didak despite both players vehemently denying that was the case before the revelation.

Based on the new reports, Collingwood are forced to review their penalty imposed on Shaw.

"The sanction imposed on Heath by the club on Monday was a result of information stated by both Heath and Alan after being repeatedly questioned about the incident," the Magpies said in a statement.

"Given the club has now found their information to be false, it strikes at the principles of honesty and integrity that the Collingwood Football Club is built on.

"For this reason, the sanction imposed will be immediately reviewed by the club, and media will be notified of a press conference to be held on Tuesday."

Alan Didak and Heath Shaw are suspended for the rest of the 2008 season for lying about their involvement in a car accident.

Rhyce Shaw, brother of Heath Shaw, is also suspended for two matches as he was drinking over the weekend while injured.

"The Collingwood Football Club has suspended both Heath Shaw and Alan Didak for the rest of the 2008 season as a result of the fact they lied to the club about a drink-driving incident that occurred on Sunday night," the Collingwood Football Club said in a statement.

"These suspensions both include the home-and-away portion of the season and potential finals matches.

"As a repeat offender, Alan has been fined $5000 while the original fine to Heath of $10,000 remains.

"As part of the club's further investigations, it was established that Rhyce Shaw, while injured, was drinking over that weekend, and as a result he has been suspended for two matches and fined $5000.

Alan Didak and Heath Shaw will be trying for the rest of their careers to earn back the respect of teammates, according to Josh Fraser.

Alan Didak and Heath Shaw set to return after club-imposed suspensions ruled them out for last six games in 2008.

Harry O'Brien says Heath Shaw and Alan Didak have done enough over the AFL off-season to earn back the players' respect.

Alan Didak will miss at least another two matches for Collingwood with a hamstring injury.

"A player from the Daicos era said he had played with Daicos and watched Didak closely. He says Didak is better," Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was quoted as saying.

Former Magpie Peter Daicos says he is unperturbed by the comments.

"The only thing I would ask is did Mick Malthouse make comparisons between any other players he selected? It would seem strange he only did it with me and Alan Didak," Daicos said.

"I guess you would need to speak with Mick. People did raise it with me, but I've got to say I don't really care. It's a comment without a name to it."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says the form of Brad Dick and Alan Didak is keeping Paul Medhurst out of the side.

"He's not replacing players who play in a similar position because there's no automatic selection for anyone. When his form is better than those around him and there's an availability... he gets into the side," Malthouse said.

"We're not going to accommodate him by saying 'well one's more experienced than the other or one's better than the other."

Dane Swan and Alan Didak have been sensationally backed to win the Brownlow Medal in recent weeks, with bookmakers now rating both players among the top half-dozen chances to win football's top award.

TAB Sportsbet's Gary Davies said while Geelong's Gary Ablett remained outright favourite at $3, the weight of support for the Collingwood pair meant the star Cat's price had eased.

Carlton champ Chris Judd is second pick at $3.50 and his price remained steady after a solid performance against Richmond at the weekend.

On the verge of playing his 150th match, Collingwood's Alan Didak says he has left his past off-field indiscretions behind him.

"In previous years I was probably 30 per cent footy and 70 per cent enjoying my time with my mates and family and not too worried about footy," Didak said.

"But now it's probably the other way around. I really am at a stage where I want to be a full-time footballer, I've worked hard on a few areas and it's starting to pay off."

Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott praises Alan Didak for keeping his cool despite constant niggling from Tiger Jake King.

King's attempts to unsettle Didak followed Hawk Ben McGlynn's efforts a few weeks ago when McGlynn was able to get under the forward's skin in Collingwoods loss to Hawthorn.

"Everyone highlighted the fact that McGlynn got under his skin against Hawthorn, and we knew Richmond would try and do the same to him again today," Scott said after the match.

"He responded brilliantly. We were rapt with his efforts both offensively and defensively, and to hold his nerve under pressure.

"Today he was completely in control of every situation. Players tried to get under his skin, it didn't affect him, and the game was played on his terms and our terms."

Twenty players from Richmond and Collingwood have been charged with engaging in a melee by the AFL match review panel.

Jake King, in particular, has accepted a two-match suspension after being found guilty of striking Collingwood's Alan Didak.

St Kilda will lodge a formal complaint to the AFL after a spiteful quarter-time clash during their game against Collingwood game.

Magpies coach Mick Malthouse and forward Alan Didak were allegedly involved in an exchange of words with Saints forward Stephen Milne during the fraca.

"I would think now we are going to make a formal complaint, and it being investigated, I would think that the players involved and the club will do everything they can to be honest and give the right information so that it all comes out," St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna told Triple M.

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell says Alan Didak has shown how damaging he can be, even when an opponent tries to put him off his game.

"Dids gets tagged every single week, and everyone tries to get under his skin," Maxwell said.

"I'd be very surprised if he wasn't All-Australian [this year] ... just the way he's matured over the last few years with those roles. When someone's really getting under your skin and tagging you hard, he's just shown he can still be a very good player."

Alan Didak, Steele Sidebottom and Ben Reid have all signed new deals with Collingwood.

Alan Didak says he has never considered plying his trade anywhere else except Collingwood after signing a new deal with the club that will see him finish his career at the Magpies.

"I think every player wants to stay at the same club where they started ... it definitely matters for me," he said.

"I just wanted to get my manager to speak to the club. We had early talks with Collingwood and it's finally come to a decision. I've always wanted to stay here. I never considered going to another club."