Heath Black Biography

Heath Black says since retiring his life has spiralled out of control due to problems with alcohol.

''I am getting myself into trouble and in Perth it is a very one-degree-of-separation town. I can't continue this way," Black said.

''Once I finished going through divorce and retirement very close together, I just had too much time on my hands.

''The job I had in property development and the work I had at Seven was only about eight hours a week, I just had too much time to think and get on the turps.

''I go to the gym religiously every morning, but by about 1pm all my chores were done and work was done - and I would just open up the fridge and grab a stubby. That is the way it has been for eight months.''

Former Dockers and Saints midfielder Heath Black is found asleep at the wheel of his damaged car in Winthrop just before 2am.

Black has been charged with one count of careless driving and driving with excess 0.08 alcohol in his blood.

Heath Black retires from football after struggling to overcome a hip injury.

Black's contract which runs till the end of 2009 will be terminated as a result of his decision.

"Once I reached the decision, the realisation was quite overwhelming," Black said.

"To be able to just sit and watch the boys in the derby at the weekend knowing that I was on the sidelines was actually quite a relief."