Gambling Addiction destroyed football player

Swans star in jail for fraud

FORMER AFL star Daryn Cresswell's gambling addiction has cost him his reputation and his family.
Now he has lost his freedom.

Cresswell will spend the next 10 months behind bars after being convicted in the Maroochydore District Court yesterday on two counts of fraud.

The Swans hardman who became an assistant coach at the Brisbane Lions and Geelong kissed his partner and said goodbye to his parents before taking the stand.

The charges related to dishonestly obtaining money from NAB through forged loan applications.

The court heard Cresswell created the fraudulent title deeds of a Coolum Beach property to gain loans of $80,000 in 2005 and $240,000 in 2006.

Suspicions were raised when the property's real owner considered purchasing another property and discovered mortgage documents had been attached to his property without his knowledge.

Cresswell's barrister, David James, said his client wished to return to Sydney where his children and former wife live.

"He has some insight now into his own issue of gambling," Mr James said. "His life really is in New South Wales and his likelihood of reoffending is quite low."

The court heard Cresswell, 39, gambled heavily after retiring from the Swans, but his addiction was now under control.

Judge John Robertson said it was a "sad case" and that Cresswell had lost property, prestige, his reputation and his wife and children.

"You're obviously an extremely talented sportsman," Judge Robertson said. "It was a long fall from a dizzy height."

The judge was given 10 character references for Cresswell, including some from AFL coaches.

Judge Robertson said the reference from Swans chairman Richard Colless, which claimed Cresswell was a "brave, selfless and team-orientated player", had been "particularly helpful".

Judge Robertson convicted Cresswell of two counts of aggravated fraud and sentenced him to three years' jail, suspended after 10 months.

Reformed gambling addict David Schwarz said the AFL Players' Association did all it could to help players with problems.

"They've got psychologists, they've got doctors, but at the same time you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink," Schwarz said.

"The individual still has to make the decision to accept responsibility and go and accept the help or instigate the contact. So while everything is there these people still have to take the first step.

"Obviously (Cresswell's) addiction was that great that he ended up breaking the law, so at the same time you've got to see the writing on the wall."