Alan Didak
Encyclopedia
Alan Didak is a professional Australian rules football
er of Croatian descent playing for the Collingwood Football Club
in the Australian Football League
.
at 17 years of age. He was the captain of the Under 18 Australian International rules football
in the junior International Rules Series
against Ireland
.
with the 3rd pick in the 2000 AFL Draft
, and in 2001 he made his AFL
debut against the Kangaroos
at the Telstra Dome
in Round 7; scoring 10 touches and 1 goal. He played five games in total in 2001.
In 2002, Didak earned an AFL Rising Star nomination.
In 2005, Didak's season was disrupted by injuries and problems. He had knee surgery during the pre-season, setting him up for his first game on ANZAC Day
against Essendon
. His injury had an effect upon his performances. Having niggles since the mid-year break he was suspended in Round 14 for two matches and returning from that he injured an ankle. The next week he returned he lasted only 20 minutes, when he suddenly fainted on the ground with an irregular heart beat.
In 2006 Didak was awarded the Copeland Trophy
as the best and fairest Collingwood player for 2006.
days before the shootings took place. According to police, Didak left the Spearmint Rhino with Hudson, where Hudson then allegedly fired random shots before travelling to the Hells Angels' East County Chapter headquarters in Campbellfield. Police believe that Didak was later dropped off near Southbank after the shooting incidents about 6.00am.
On 3 August 2008, Didak was a passenger in a car being driven by intoxicated teammate Heath Shaw
which collided with another parked car. Both men initially denied that Didak was in any way involved. However, witness
accounts to the incident identified him and, on 4 August 2008, both men were imposed with sanctions over the deception.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er of Croatian descent playing for the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early life
Alan Didak played in the SANFL seniors with Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Magpies
The Port Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the South Australian National Football League...
at 17 years of age. He was the captain of the Under 18 Australian International rules football
International rules football
International rules football is a team sport consisting of a hybrid of football codes, which was developed to facilitate international representative matches between Australian rules football players and Gaelic football players....
in the junior International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
against Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
AFL career
Didak was drafted by the Collingwood Football ClubCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
with the 3rd pick in the 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
, and in 2001 he made his AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
debut against the Kangaroos
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
at the Telstra Dome
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
in Round 7; scoring 10 touches and 1 goal. He played five games in total in 2001.
In 2002, Didak earned an AFL Rising Star nomination.
In 2005, Didak's season was disrupted by injuries and problems. He had knee surgery during the pre-season, setting him up for his first game on ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
against Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. His injury had an effect upon his performances. Having niggles since the mid-year break he was suspended in Round 14 for two matches and returning from that he injured an ankle. The next week he returned he lasted only 20 minutes, when he suddenly fainted on the ground with an irregular heart beat.
In 2006 Didak was awarded the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
as the best and fairest Collingwood player for 2006.
Personal life
In late June 2007, it was revealed that Didak had met with Christopher Hudson, the self-confessed shooter in the 2007 Melbourne CBD shootings2007 Melbourne CBD shootings
Christopher Hudson was a full member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, having defected from rival group The Finks in 2006. Shortly afterward, he was involved in a brawl between both clubs at a kickboxing tournament on the Gold Coast and was shot in the chin...
days before the shootings took place. According to police, Didak left the Spearmint Rhino with Hudson, where Hudson then allegedly fired random shots before travelling to the Hells Angels' East County Chapter headquarters in Campbellfield. Police believe that Didak was later dropped off near Southbank after the shooting incidents about 6.00am.
On 3 August 2008, Didak was a passenger in a car being driven by intoxicated teammate Heath Shaw
Heath Shaw
Heath Shaw is an Australian rules footballer playing for Collingwood in the Australian Football League-AFL career:...
which collided with another parked car. Both men initially denied that Didak was in any way involved. However, witness
Witness
A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge about an event, or in the criminal justice systems usually a crime, through his or her senses and can help certify important considerations about the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event first hand is known as an eyewitness...
accounts to the incident identified him and, on 4 August 2008, both men were imposed with sanctions over the deception.