Demons must rally round pair as 'tragedy' takes toll: Schwarz Claire Siracusa Australian football Garry Lyon and Bill Brownless no longer have a close friendship.
Former Demon David Schwarz has described as a "tragedy" the situation between Garry Lyon and his close friend Bill Brownless, as Lyon steps aside from his media duties due to mental illness. 
The long-running friendship between Lyon and Brownless apparently broke down after Brownless reportedly discovered a relationship between his ex-wife, Nicky, and Lyon.
Brownless and Lyon have worked together for at least 15 years. The two families had also been close, with Brownless' former wife and Lyon's wife, Melissa, close friends. The Lyons reportedly had an amicable separation about 18 months ago.
Brownless is understood to be rocked by the situation, and believes his friendship with Lyon is over. It is understood that Lyon is battling depression.
"It's a tragedy for a number of reasons," Schwarz, a former teammate of Lyon's, told SEN radio on Monday morning.
"Because now two families are torn apart, we've got two blokes that are best mates ... unfortunately great relationships are now probably ruined forever."
Schwarz, who has battled a gambling addiction, said that Lyon had been the go-to man at Melbourne for other players who were going through issues.
But Schwarz said the difference in Lyon in the past year and a half had been noticeable.
He said former teammates had noticed that Lyon had been "absent" when he had formerly been "very available".
"He's actually angered a lot of his ex-teammates because he just hasn't returned calls and been very aloof, which is very unlike Garry.
"In light of what we know now, there was obviously a fair bit going on."
Schwarz said that Lyon had been there for his former club in the past, and called on Melbourne to rally in return.
"For Melbourne people I know they'll rally ... it's time people get around Billy and Garry to help get their families through this shocking time where poor decisions have been made."
Lyon will step down from his media duties with no timeframe for his return.
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