David Williams hasn't wasted his time this season. Even before shoulder surgery ruled him out of playing for the rest of 2010, Dave signed on as an ambassador for the McGrath Foundation and the Harvey Norman Women in League round. The Heart of the Game ran into him at ANZ Stadium strutting his stuff at the official announcement of the partnership between Women in League and the McGrath Foundation, and pulled him aside for a chat.

Has your mum ever given you any footy advice?
No, not really. She just says just ‘shave your beard’, that’s pretty much all our conversations are now.

Best compliment a fan has ever given you?
"What I’d do if that beard wasn’t there" … can I say that?

Do you have a special care routine for the beard?
100 brush strokes either side, and then a rigorous routine of conditioners and moisturizers and hair strengtheners.

Is there something you think NRL fans don't know about you?
If there's a stage sometimes I'd rather not be on it! I'd much rather be at the back of the room relaxing and having something to eat.

Do you think women really are the heart of the game?
When you look at the heart of the game, you don’t look at the NRL, you look at football at its roots. You look at the parents getting kids to the game, and honestly it’s mainly the mums. So many mothers are involved in clubs; they’re the foundation of how they start, how they grow and how they keep going.

Any last words?
Hi mum!