Matthew Milson is back at Norths in the latest step in a unique rugby league journey for the two-time Devils premiership winner.
Born in Bourke in western New South Wales, Milson is another standout league product from Tingha, near Inverell.
Tingha’s population is less than 1000 but its role of footy graduates is grand – Preston Campbell, Bevan French, Nathan Blacklock and Owen Craigie.
Milson has the same quick feet that propelled those four men through long professional careers.
Put it down to the “rabbiting” and the high-stakes touch footy games that were a feature of Milson’s Tingha upbringing with his seven brothers and sisters, cousins and friends.
Milson and his mates would chase rabbits around Tingha, challenging each other to see how many they could catch. The rabbits were caught by hand and released unharmed.
“I used to play every sport when I was growing up and we had some great games of footy in Sapphire Street, Tingha,” Milson said.
“There was always a lot of players there and it was great fun. You had to use your instincts a lot which was a bit like rabbiting. We just had a lot of fun outside doing things.”
Milson was a constant danger in the backline when the Devils surged to premierships in 2021 and 2022 – memorably swatting the ball over the sideline to end the 2021 decider – before spending the last two seasons at Wynnum Manly, winning the club’s best player award in 2023.
The proud Wiradjuri-Kamilaroi man has reunited with his premiership coach Rohan Smith at Norths, excited by the chance to continue a career that has reached 77 Hostplus Cup appearances.
“It’s really good being back here with Ro,” Milson said.
“He’s really on the players’ level and he is always trying to help players improve to get to the next level.
“That’s a goal I’m still chasing.”
Milson, 27, wants to reach the NRL, following the path of some of his Devils premiership teammates.
In the last four seasons, 15 Devils have signed fulltime contracts.
Milson had a taste of professional football when he completed a pre-season with the Brisbane Broncos last summer however a hamstring injury prevented him from playing in an NRL trial.
Milson’s bright smile is a popular sight at the Devils, where wife Teagan and their children Shiyah, 2, and Scarlett, 11 months, have been familiar faces. Milson and Teagan moved to Brisbane together after Year 12.
Milson works as a community liaison officer in the health industry, thriving in the role in recent years.
“It’s just exciting to be back especially when there are other young families around,” Milson said.
“The pre-season has been good and we’re working our way through it and just looking forward to getting the season underway.”