Footballer Kicks 2 Goals in Grand Final While Battling Cancer
Australian footballer AJ Mills scored twice in yesterday's championship game, including a dramatic final-siren goal, just one year after brain cancer treatment kept him off the field. His team won by 81 points in an emotional victory that brought tears to everyone watching.
When Aiden "AJ" Mills kicked a goal as the final siren sounded yesterday, it completed one of Australian football's most inspiring comeback stories.
The Echuca Murray Bombers player helped his team crush Shepparton 141 to 60 in the Goulburn Valley Football League grand final. Mills kicked two goals despite undergoing monthly chemotherapy treatments for brain cancer.
Last year looked very different for the young footballer. Mills was diagnosed with brain cancer mid-season and underwent surgery and treatment that sidelined him for months.
When doctors cleared him to return for the 2025 finals, the league denied his permit because he hadn't played the required three games. Mills could only watch from the sidelines as his teammates competed without him.
This season, Mills made sure he qualified. He played enough regular season games while managing his monthly chemotherapy schedule to earn his spot in the grand final lineup.
Coach Troy Murphy moved Mills forward in the final quarter, hoping he could score. Mills took a big mark with five minutes left and kicked his first goal.
"I think everyone in the ground had tears in their eyes and were just absolutely ecstatic that he'd done it," Murphy said. Then Mills added another goal right at the final siren.
After the match, teammates wanted to hoist Mills onto their shoulders in celebration. He told them the win was about everyone, not just him.
Why This Inspires
Mills's mother Katie says her son remains stable with no tumor progression, calling it "literally best-case scenario." He continues regular MRIs while playing the sport he loves.
The victory was sweeter because the players made it their mission. "There was no way they were going to lose it for AJ," Murphy said.
Echuca's weekend included four grand final wins across football and netball teams, but Mills's performance became the emotional centerpiece of the club's celebrations.
The 22-year-old continues proving that determination and community support can help overcome even the toughest obstacles.
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Based on reporting by ABC Australia
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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