Broken collarbone, knee tear and stress fractures: Brighton skipper Sam Lewis-Johnson on tough road back from injury

Not many players in the SFL have had to show more resilience across the last two seasons than Sam Lewis-Johnson but the Brighton captain is now just happy to be back.

Brighton captain Sam Lewis-Johnson has been through a tough injury run across the last two SFL seasons. Picture: Linda Higginson

You could forgive Sam Lewis-Johnson for simply giving up and walking away from the game he loves, but that’s not something that’s once crossed the Brighton skippers’ mind.

The crafty on-baller has been dealt one of the cruellest hands the SFL has seen across the last two years, playing just seven games since round one, 2023 following a number of different injuries.

A broken collarbone in round 3 last season saw his year come to an abrupt end before an MCL tear and a lateral ligament tear in his ankle this past April had many fearing he would miss a second straight season of football.

If all that wasn’t enough, Lewis-Johnson also went down midway through the pre-season with a stress reaction in his foot.

Lewis-Johnson has played just seven games in two seasons. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But if there was ever proof as to why the 23 year-old was named captain of the Robins, you don’t have to look any further than the resilience and dedication shown to his rehab that allowed him to make a successful return earlier this month.

“It’s been a little bit of a frustrating last two years with my body, but it’s great to be back around the boys,” Lewis-Johnson said.

“To be in rehab most of last year and then spend the first half of this season there also, you do sit back at times and think why me.

“But once you get over that initial disappointment, and the boys are there to motivate you, it does give you that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

After making a successful return in the win over Hobart two weeks ago, Lewis-Johnson was one of Brighton’s best in the 47-point loss to Lindisfarne last Saturday.

A midfielder known for his strong running capacity, a stoppage goal inside 50 midway through the third-quarter was a reminder for every one of the talents he possesses.

“It’s taken me a couple of weeks to sort of just get some confidence back into my body but I imagine that the more football I play, the more confident I will be as well,” he said.

Lewis-Johnson’s midfield partner Darcy Gardner is one player that will no doubt enjoy having the skipper back. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“While I have had some time off, there’s been a couple of things that I’ve worked on in my own game. And hopefully it can come to fruition in the rest of the season.

“I’ve just trained a lot to try and become a little bit more explosive from a stoppage. My running capacity always held me into good stead, but I just wanted to become a little bit more dynamic and explosive from stoppages and also a little bit stronger in my body around the core.”

With the Robins right in the mix for the SFL finals, Lewis-Johnson is hopeful he can put his horror run with injury behind him with the lure of a potential premiership come September likely to make it all worth it.