Brighton Bombers flying for AdFL division two finals

A reinvigorated Adelaide Footy League club has defied the odds in the early part of the 2025 season to sit just outside of finals after signing a number of standout local names and turning towards its youth.

An Adelaide Footy League club which was expected to fight to avoid relegation for a second straight season has found itself in the early 2025 finals discussion after a strong start to its campaign.

Brighton Bombers, who were relegated from division one at the end of last season, have bounced back from a huge round one loss to sit at 3-3.

The Bombers, led by former Langhorne Creek premiership coach Clint Godwin, lost to top spot Athelstone 134-19 in the opening round of the year but have since defeated Modbury, Goodwood Saints and Old Ignatians to sit just below the top five by percentage.

The A Grade side underwent a makeover after Godwin’s appointment, losing some players but also acquiring Myponga-Sellicks gun Sam Kennedy as well as South East star Brad Bryant among others, and have also looked toward the youth to perform.

“It’s been about laying the foundations to build from, ensuring steady development and progress moving forward,” Godwin said.

“There’s no denying the Athelstone loss rattled us to our core after strong trial games and a solid pre-season … but we had time to regroup, refocus and realign and we didn’t panic.

New Brighton Bombers coach, Clint Godwin. Picture: @jeffwrayphotography

“We broke down every aspect of our game … there’s a collective determination that we won’t allow that to happen again.

“Overall, it’s a very balanced and competitive division – the top two teams (Athelstone and Tea Tree Gully) have clearly set themselves apart at this stage, but beyond that the competition is wide open.”

While the Bombers have struggled away from home with three losses so far, the club’s home performances have worked as a boost for players and fans.

The side has seen an even number of contributors throughout the first six rounds and Godwin said there had been a clear buy-in by his team to improve each week.

“We’ve had an even spread of standouts and we’ve been able to win games by fixing things as a team as opposed to needing an individual.

“Over time, the squad’s buy-in and belief in our processes, game plans and structures have steadily grown.

Brighton Bombers have surprised some so far this season and sit just outside of the finals spots in D2. Picture: Ann-Marie O'Connor

“From the very first training session, we assured players that effort would be recognised and rewarded … now they can see that promise being fulfilled which has fostered a strong sense of trust, confidence and satisfaction within the group.

“Right now at the club, there’s a real sense of excitement and anticipation.

“We’ve focused on creating an environment that is both rewarding and energising and the boys have embraced that … their respect for the club runs deep and their commitment to making it better is undeniable.”

While the majority of the season is yet to play out, Brighton has already been one of the early stories of the year and has built some significant momentum with the halfway point just around the corner.

Godwin believed playing finals was a realistic target.

“While we’re still developing, our best is absolutely good enough to play finals.

“The key is staying committed to the cause.

“My focus remains on continuous improvement across the entire squad … if we can sustain that growth, not only will we earn a spot in finals, but we’ll also lay the foundation for long-term success in the years to come.”