By Shaun Fewings
It’s another dawn in Manhattan, there’s a chill in the air and a Sydney finance chiefhas rolled in from Australia to do business.
As he strolls along Wall Street preparing to talk global stock options and margin calls, he realises he’s forgotten to make a vital phone call.
He whips out his mobile and calls his football coach.
“G’day mate, it’s Backy, look I’m in New York and can’t make footy training tonight.
“To make up for it, I’m going to run from uptown to Battery Park and back tonight because I’m keen to play on Saturday.
“I get off the plane that morning and I’ve got my footy gear with me.”
Welcome to the world of UNSW-ES legend, David Backler.
This season “Backy” is celebrating his 400+ game.
“Plus” because no-one knows exactly how many games he’s played. The NSW AFL only began keeping records in the early-mid 2000’s. (AFL Sydney Edit: Records were kept prior to the 2000s but were thrown out when AFL NSW moved offices 5 years ago)
David has been wearing the red, white and blue since he joined East Sydney in 1994.
He spent almost a decade playing in the Ones, holding down a spot in the backlines or playing on the ball.
When the Bulldogs merged with the University of New South Wales at the end of the century, Backy transferred too and over the years, he’s become the only footballer at UNSW-ES to have played in every men’s grade fielded, five different sides in total.
He was for a time, East Sydney President and then went onto to become a long-standing league commissioner.
A Life Member of UNSW-ES, David played in numerous Grand Finals, winning two in 2009 and 2011, the first as Third grade captain.
He won the Armstrong medal for Division Three Best and Fairest in 2006 as a 39 year old and finished runner-up, two years later.
He won the goal-kicking for Division Four at age 46 two years ago and remains his side’s key forward in the twilight of a football career that ended almost two decades earlier for most of his peers.
As his former teammate, this author, recalls the moment Backy became a club legend.
We’d just finished training at Trumper Park on a Tuesday night in the late 90’s.
Most of the players, including our ‘hardened’ on-ballers had bolted home to watch “Melrose Place”...I’m not joking.
The lights had just gone out and we’re heading for our cars when Backy arrives from a long lunch in the city.
Backy knew he hadn’t done himself any favours by missing training.
As we threw our footy bags into our cars, we glanced over and saw this shadowy figure running back and forth, from one goal to the other in the dark.
He was really moving.
We knew it was Backy from his famous biomechanics.
Bent arms hurtling up and down, fingers outstretched upwards, knees up high, shoulders stiffening.
Backy was punishing himself and making amends even though his spot in the side was never at risk.
He earnt the nickname, “Robocop,” thanks to his rippling six pack and endless stamina.
I recall another moment in more recent times.
Backy’s Fourth grade side was sitting in the sheds at Gwawley Oval, preparing for a game against the Southern Power.
“Who’s got the jumpers?” someone shouted.
“Backy,” came the reply.
Panic spread as they learnt Backy’s car had broken down a couple of kilometres away, the jumpers locked in the boot of a car featuring keyless entry and a flat battery.
But as expected, Backy overcame adversity, found a way in and saved the day, in the nick of time, and then went on to spearhead their victory.
To the faithful, David Backler is a Bulldog treasure...a generous party host, a courageous teammate and above all a great bloke.
Congratulations on a tremendous 400 PLUS from your entire Bulldog family.
Last Modified on 11/08/2015 09:15
