Bears icon Brett reflects on ‘special day’, Lindon partnership and GVL honour

Forming part of the premiership-winning side of 2018, he has skippered his beloved outfit for the past seven years, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike for his all-action performances on the field.

Off the field, the Bears figure is a father to three children - Paddy, Poppy and newborn Bowie - with his wife Chelsea described as Brett’s unwavering “rock”.

A true family man, the veteran credits his loved ones for assisting him on his journey to where he is today, with proud parents Kerry and Darryl and siblings Joel and Teagan, having flanked the Shepparton captain since his Congupna Juniors days.

Coming into round seven in the GVL seniors campaign, he had double reason for celebration as he reached the 200-mark for appearances on the big stage - following 196 outings in maroon and gold, alongside four interleague run-outs.

Reaching this milestone also meant that he was bestowed with the prestigious Life Member of the Goulburn Valley League honour to make his achievements feel even the more sweet.

“It was a special day and it’s been nice to get the recognition, it’s been a long journey, with plenty of years still to go hopefully,” Brett said, as he looked back over a garland occasion in a glittering career.

“There’s a lot of people who do so much behind the scenes and you don’t get to these milestones without that support.

“I suppose my first supporter on my footy journey was my father, Darryl - I always had a footy in my hand from when I could walk pretty much,” he continued, paying tribute to his family.

“In recent years, my wife has been a massive support and my mum and dad, allowing me to go train and having that support with three young kids.”

The season could well end in fairytale fashion too, with the Bears having tallied up a sterling seven-game winning streak in the early weeks of the term to outline their premiership credentials.

While no flags are won in May, Brett does boast experience of having already formed part of a side that went all the way in the competition - having been part of the set-up when Shepparton last clinched GVL glory back in 2018.

Alongside him on the field that day during a memorable Grand Final victory over Kyabram was long-term teammate Ted Lindon, who remains a friend to this day.

The pair appeared together for the Deakin Reserve side some 130 times before the player-coach Lindon eventually embarked on a new chapter with Southern Mallee Thunder of the Wimmera Football Netball League (WFNL).

Recalling their times together in the Bears’ backline, Brett’s pride was palpable as he reflected on the defensive partnership that they were able to establish down the years.

“We played a lot of our footy together down-back and a large portion of my time was next to Ted,” he said, remembering their long stint together on the field.

“We have a great relationship and we know the ins-and-outs of what we do and it was something that worked seamlessly when we were back there.

“We’re good mates and I loved my time playing with Ted.”

Having established a faultless record in the GVL so far this year, the Bears can begin to dare to dream of a first premiership success in eight years after last reaching the Grand Final show-piece in 2024.

In his own words, Brett is determined to ensure that Shepparton’s vintage of 2026 is remembered in these parts for years to come.

“We’ve got a bye coming up next week so obviously we wanted to not look too far forward, we wanted to play Benalla and just get the job done,” he said in a closing comment on the Bears’ most recent win.

“It’s been a long stretch of games but we take one game as it comes and now we’ll reset before we go again!”