A brave Perth teenager who doctors feared would not make it out of intensive care following a horrific suburban smash could be just weeks from returning home.

Northern Knight Cats footballer Darcy Metcalf, 17, was on his way to a team photo session when the Audi A3 hatchback he was a passenger in slammed into a tree on Sherington Rd in Greenwood last July.

Following the accident, Metcalf spent four months in Royal Perth Hospital recovering from broken bones and a catastrophic brain injury that loved ones say will have a lasting impact on his quality of life.

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“In the early days, medical specialists told his family to prepare for the fact that Darcy may not make it out of ICU,” family friend Chailee Richards said.

“They were told it was unlikely he’d ever be well enough to be on a hospital ward, let alone come home.

“Against all odds, Darcy was eventually discharged from Royal Perth and is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

“His recovery is slow but progressing. He’s reached the point where he’s desperate to be home with his family and his medical team are working towards discharging him within the next eight weeks.”

Metcalf has already spent some days at home and at least one overnighter to get a feel for life back under his own roof.

The adjustment is a work in progress and, for the short term, the family have set up a hospital bed in the living room and a curtain for privacy.

A major fundraising effort is now underway to modify the family home for the around-the-clock care the teen will need.

The goal is to transform the garage into a new living space that includes a bathroom, small kitchenette and sleeping quarters.

The money will also go towards other needs, including a van that can take him to therapy sessions and medical appointments.

More than $75,000 has been contributed so far and Richards told 7NEWS.com.au that generous donors were intent on delivering “something tangible” and “something that can help long term”.

“I’m scrambling to keep up with the thank-you messages — we’ve had 700 individual donations so far,” she said.

Darcy’s injuries have left him unable to speak and there is no guarantee he will regain his ability to walk, although loved ones are not putting any limitations on his recovery.

He can communicate through an iPad, which is also where he has kept up to date on all his favourite sports.

Metcalf has been described as a “shy, unassuming” kid who was happy for his pals to take the spotlight.

“Except on the footy field, when his competitive streak took over and passion for the game saw him become one of the loudest and fiercest competitors on the ground,” Richards said.

“What’s saddest about Darcy’s story is that his accident happened just as his family started to see Darcy blossom and come into his own, with conviction in himself and big dreams for his future.”