Brighton Bombers Adelaide Footy League coach Brett Backwell on the mend after health scare

Magarey Medallist Brett Backwell has opened up about a serious health scare as he faces a tough, disrupted first season in charge of the Brighton Bombers.

A major health scare, a culture change and a string of close losses – it’s safe to say Brett Backwell’s first season in charge at Brighton has not been smooth sailing.

The Magarey Medallist revealed to The Messenger he suffered an aneurysm in April and “spent a week in a cardiac ward nearly dying”, following shoulder surgery before the beginning of the season.

Thankfully the 41-year-old former Glenelg and Carlton player is now back on his feet and can turn his attention to leading the Bombers in the Adelaide Footy League once again.

Brett Backwell, who played 18 AFL games for Carlton and won a Magarey Medal with Glenelg in 2006, took the reins as Brighton coach this season from Joel Tucker. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I didn’t do real well for a while,” Backwell said.

“I ended up having an aneurysm and going back into hospital and spent a week in a cardiac ward nearly dying.

“I missed a couple of games, coached one from the hospital bed.

“Hopefully that’s all behind me and I’m on the improve, trying to get fit and healthy again.”

Sixth-placed Brighton has a 4-6 win-loss record in Backwell’s first season in charge of the division one club.

But that record could easily look very different.

The Bombers have lost their past three games by a goal or less, with another by 12 points and they other two each by 25 points.

Backwell said he had focused on making changes to behaviour and culture since joining the club.

He believed the club was in good shape from a long term perspective.

Backwell while in charge of Prince Alfred Old Collegians. He led the Old Reds to their maiden division one flag in 2016 and another grand final appearance in 2019. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

“We’ve caused a little bit of trouble with guys not getting games that in the past might have got them, because of their name and who they are,” said Backwell, who led Prince Alfred Old Collegians to the division one flag in 2016.

“But that’s the behaviour and culture stuff that we’re trying to change and reward guys for their behaviours and their performance.

“We’ve played 37 players so far in the A grade so far, which is far too many, but what it does is it promotes opportunity at the next level.

“And we’ve debuted 13, eight of those are kids who have come through the under-18 system.”

And the Bombers have unearthed some serious gems.

Young ruckman Tyrin Book, who Backwell said was being chased by almost every SANFL club for next year, has been a revelation.

Brighton’s Beau McRae gets a kick away under pressure from Payneham Norwood Union’s Anthony Giannini earlier this season. Picture: Matt Loxton

The 19-year-old has featured in the best players in five out of 10 matches so far following 12 games in the club’s under-18s last season.

Another youngster, 18-year-old Jarman Sigal, would be in the top handful of the Bombers’ best and fairest at the moment with his impressive work down back.

Tim Dickson is new to football but is another who has hit the ground running up forward and as a second ruck.

After back-to-back four point losses to reigning premier Goodwood and ladder leader Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the past two rounds, Brighton has shown its best is good enough.

The Bombers, who made the division one finals last season for the first time before crashing out in the elimination final, will now be hoping to snap their three-game losing streak at home against Tea Tree Gully this Saturday.