Perth Glory midfielder Brandon O’Neill has shared his thoughts on his unexpected departure from the club in 2022, detailing how the emotional toll from losing his father to cancer influenced both his exit and subsequent return for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Having begun his professional journey at his local club, Perth Glory, O’Neill made a comeback to Western Australia for a second time in 2021, donning the club’s iconic purple and orange kit once more.
He secured a three-year contract and took on the role of captain before the start of the 2021-22 season. However, just a year into this agreement, he was permitted to leave the club early.
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O’Neill transitioned to Newcastle Jets from Perth prior to the 2022-23 season, spending two years with the Novocastrians before returning home to Perth Glory for the current season, marking his third spell at the club.
In a recent episode of Perth Glory’s official podcast, Glory Stories, O’Neill apologised to Glory supporters and provided a heartfelt explanation for his 2022 departure, revealing that the profound grief from losing his “best mate,” his father Myles O’Neill, to lung cancer created challenges during the early months of his return to the club.
“The last time I was here, so much changed in such a brief time, ultimately transforming me forever,” O’Neill explained. “I can honestly say that now.”
“At the beginning, I made a grave mistake following my dad’s death by trying to mould that tragedy into a catalyst for the best thing that could ever happen to me.
“It might sound strange, but I recall speaking at his funeral, and I declared that he would be my motivation to return to the Socceroos, and that he might even push me to a World Cup… Reflecting back, I think: what was I doing? You just lost your best friend.”
“For some, that could inspire them to improve. However, I took the opposite approach: I buried my feelings and tried to convert that tragedy into a driving force inside me.”
“I lost my best friend, and I didn’t take the time to process it.”
“This is something I’ve never openly discussed, but when that was happening, I had to make crucial decisions regarding my career. Anyone who has experienced grief knows that when you’re coping with significant issues, your mind is often nowhere near the physical present.”
“All I knew was that my gut was telling me: you need to be home. You’ve got to go through this properly. But I had no idea what that would entail or feel like.
“We decided to stay home, and I put on my footballer’s cap, thinking this would be the best thing for my career as I would be doing a, b, c, d, and e. But halfway through the season, I hit rock bottom.”
“During my second stint at the club, I was fortunate to be named captain and I experienced the joy of my daughter’s birth, and we purchased our dream home here in Perth. Yet I would wake up not even knowing my own name, let alone how to play football or manage family responsibilities – I was supposed to inspire a team. I was meant to be a role model.”
“That period was possibly the hardest of my life. I couldn’t even manage basic tasks like brushing my teeth. It might sound shocking, but I injured my AC joint that year, which forced me to take a break for eight weeks until the end of the season. During that time, I had to face my feelings with Nicole and my family.
“I was genuinely considering walking away from football altogether. Thankfully, Nicole, being the incredible woman she is, was ready to support whatever decision would help me feel better.”
“In essence, the grief is still present, and I have days where I come in feeling off or out of sorts. For anyone enduring a similar traumatic experience, I believe they can relate to this feeling.”
“I want to sincerely apologise to the club, its fans, and members for any perception that I lacked connection to the club, or that I left for different reasons.”
“That time in my life was chaotic, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make amends. I owe a debt of gratitude for being able to return, especially considering my father was my unwavering source of support throughout my football journey. He was always there from the beginning until his passing.”
“I regret needing to leave home for a while. I’ve often expressed my apologies to Nicole, my in-laws, and my mum, as I felt it was necessary to step away to grieve properly, enabling me to return and contribute positively now.”
You can catch the complete interview with Brandon O’Neill on the Glory Stories podcast linked below.
For anyone grappling with the topics raised in the podcast, free professional support is accessible here: here.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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