Footy legend Sam Backo is unrecognisable in intensive care as he battles life-threatening tropical disease that has killed 34 Aussies this year alone

Footy legend Sam Backo is in the fight of his life in hospital after being diagnosed with melioidosis earlier this year.

The tropical disease has killed 34 Aussies this year – and the cult-hero prop, who played seven matches for Queensland – watched Wednesday’s Origin decider from the intensive care unit at Cairns Hospital.

‘I’m very grateful for my wife, who’s been beside me through this journey…(and) all my family that have been praying for me,’ Backo, 64, told the ABC.

‘That’s all they can really do.’

Backo – who has been in hospital since April – believes he was infected following a swim in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns.

Backo’s diagnosis also comes after he suffered a massive heart attack in 2023, which saw the former front-rower placed in an induced coma.

At the time, Rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis, a former teammate of the man known as ‘Slammin Sam’, said the enforcer was ‘unstoppable’ up front.

Backo recently revealed he was over the worst of the melioidosis – but given his other medical dramas, doctors urged him to ‘get his affairs in order’.

‘I previously said to them (family), “When your time’s up, your time’s up” — but I’ve had a rethink,’ he said.

Australia has been hit with an unprecedented increase in melioidosis cases this year.

The disease, which is caused by bacteria lurking in mud and dirty water, is seasonal in nature, with cases often occurring during wet season when there has been heavy rain or flooding, such as that seen across Queensland during autumn.

Those with underlying health conditions like diabetes and lung disease, along with people who drink a lot of alcohol, are urged to take precautions.

Symptoms include fever, pneumonia, exhaustion, vomiting, abdominal pains and chest pressure.

‘I have 16 beautiful grandchildren, I want to see them grow up into strong people.’

‘He was such a dominant prop. Sam just destroyed everyone in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it,’ he said.

‘That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time….he was unstoppable.

‘He certainly drew plenty of love and support from the indigenous community. He was a very proud representative of that community.’

Backo played 134 first grade matches between 1983 and 1990 – 114 for the Canberra Raiders and 20 for the Brisbane Broncos.

He was named in the Indigenous Australian team of the century and was the first Aussie forward to score tries in all three Tests during the Ashes series in 1988.

Always a passionate Maroons supporter, Backo copped some grief this week for cheering too loudly while watching Billy Slater’s men wrestle back the interstate shield at Accor Stadium.

‘One of the nurses came around and roused on me,’ he said.

‘I tried to keep quiet for the rest of the game.’