The father of a young footballer diagnosed with stage four melanoma after a routine scan has urged the sporting community to be vigilant over skin checks.
Kalamunda Cougars ruckman Josh Davis was sent to hospital after complications from a heavy knock to his ribs in a round one Perth Football League clash three weeks ago.
Scans revealed lesions in his brain, lungs and abdomen and after surgery the 24-year-old began treatment on Friday at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals oncology unit.
The family is hopeful immunotherapy and radiation treatment can save their son, but the devastating effects of his cancer may leave him unable to complete a mechanical fitters apprenticeship. The Cougars have set up a Go Fund Me page.
“It’s so important to get yourself checked out, especially for men and women playing footy,” Josh’s father Mike said.
“I’ve been involved in footy all my life. I coached for many years and was president of Kalamunda Junior Football Club for five years, played ammos for many years and as a family, we have always been involved football spending many hours outside.
“The Kalamanda Cougars have done so much in rallying around Josh and our family and also with the fund raising. I sent them a thank you message with a reminder to everybody to be vigilant for not only yourself but those around you to have your skin checked regularly.
“This all came about just from a small mole on Josh’s back that he had removed two years ago. It was probably there for a while and not noticed. The important thing is always make sure you are getting your checks done. I’m guilty myself of not getting checked lately.”
Josh, a 196cm ruckman who was once on Swan Districts colts list before being cut down by a series of injuries, copped the knock to the ribs in the third quarter of the Cougars’ opening round game.
“He played out the rest of the game and he seemed fine. He didn’t think he got a head knock and maybe he didn’t,” Mike said.
“He drove himself home, walked in the door and said he was really sore in the ribs.
“Then he started slurring his words and throwing up and his face started to drop and we knew something was going on.
“So my wife Penny raced him down to emergency at Midland and I got a call about an hour later and said ‘You need to come down’.
“It was lucky in a sense that he did cop that hit in the ribs and went in for the scan because he had bleeding on the brain and we would never have known about the cancer as he had no previous symptoms ”
After his son had a melanoma removed from his back and the top of his shoulder in 2024, it was followed by full body scans, biopsies and regular check ups. All had cleared him.
“He was off work for seven months as a result of a knee reconstruction, missed a whole season of footy in 2023, and was looking forward to get back to work and back out on the field with the Cougars and then all of a sudden a mole scan revealed he had a melanoma that had spread,” Mike said.
“And then he was dealing with that for another 12 weeks. He missed the first 10 weeks of the season then played the last eight games in the threes and only missed the association fairest and best by one vote.
“Before this latest diagnosis he had just worked his way back from a torn hamstring he tore six or seven weeks earlier and hadn’t trained much. He lined up in the thirds for the Cougars and was hoping to work his way back into the twos and ones.
“I’ve got to say the the oncologists and neurosurgeons and everyone at the both Midland and Charlies hospitals have been amazing.
“Josh was born with Bell’s palsy on his left side, and has always been deaf on his left side. He’s met those challenges along the way and managed to play football and work as a mechanical fitter apprentice.”
Mike said his son had two months remaining on his apprenticeship.
“He might not be able to complete it, he has damage to his arm and there is a risk of seizures,” Mike said.
“If it all goes well and he can go back to work there will still be big changes to his life.”
Josh, who has two siblings, won a premiership with Kalamunda colts in 2020 and has won the best clubman award.
“Josh is the kind of teammate and friend everyone hopes to have — dependable, humble, and always there when it counts,” the club’s GoFundMe page says.
“Despite everything, Josh remains positive and determined to take on this battle with the same courage and resilience he’s shown on the field.
“Josh and his family have already faced difficult times, and now they need our support more than ever. This devastating diagnosis has cut down a young man in his prime — someone who has given so much to his club, his mates, and his community. Now it’s our turn to stand by him.
“Every donation, big or small, will help ease the financial burden and allow Josh to focus on what matters most — his treatment, recovery, and staying strong through this fight. Please support Josh Davis — a true clubman, a great mate, and a young man who deserves every chance to win this battle.”
Go to www.gofundme.com/f/josh-davis-cancer-battle
