In April the then 21-year-old suffered a massive bleed on his brain while at his North Albury home.

He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where his chances of survival were “almost zero” given the extent of the haemorrhagic stroke.

Aaron’s mum Melisa Powell said doctors had advised herself and her husband David to prepare for the worst.

“The bleed was so massive, the doctors didn’t expect him to survive at all,” she said.

But Aaron dug in his heels, astounding medical experts as he fought for his life.

Over the next eight weeks in the intensive care unit, the Powells helped their son focus on the little wins.

He has also undergone months of rehabilitation with South West Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service.

“I don’t remember a lot of it early on in the hospital,” Aaron said back home this week, which marks almost seven months since the bleed.

“My balance has been affected, my energy levels are affected and my speech is sometimes unintelligible.”

Mrs Powell said when the Sydney Swans got wind of Aaron’s battle they sent a guernsey and a card signed by all of the players, which helped spur him on further. 

“We’d put the Swans matches on TV for Aaron, but he didn’t always have the energy to watch till the end,” Mrs Powell said.

“We said all season if they make the grand final we’ll have to go but then they did and we thought: ‘Now we’re going to seriously have to look at it’.”

Once again the Sydney Swans reached out to find Aaron four tickets to Saturday’s AFL grand final.

The AFL’s CSR Committee provided Sydney and Western Bulldogs fans four AFL grand final tickets to enable both clubs to support their respective community and/or charity partner.

“For a football club to do something so kind for someone they didn’t even know has really lifted Aaron’s spirits,” Mrs Powell said.

Mr and Mrs Powell, Aaron and a family friend will attend the grand final, a first-time experience for them all.

Mr Powell, who has been the minister at the Albury Presbyterian Church for 10 years, said the family was thankful Aaron was making solid progress.

They hope he will be able to return to his Bachelor of Business degree at La Trobe University in Wodonga.

“It’s a miracle!” Mr Powell said.

Asked about the Swans chances on Saturday, Aaron said he felt confident.

“Their chances are pretty high!”

This coming from one who has already overcome the odds.