Millie Elliott's incoming baby may stop her from playing, but not the Origin feeling
Thursday night will have a similar feel for Millie Elliott despite playing a very different role.
She will still do up her boots, have a mean look towards any Queenslander, even take the field wearing a bit of blue.
But her pregnancy means the NSW enforcer will be carrying a microphone up the field instead of the classic Steeden.
The front-rower missed her first Origin clash since 2019 last Thursday, and a very large part of her desperately wants to scratch that itch and represent her state.
But she also knows having the year off to give birth to her first child is just as important.
Millie Elliott (formerly Millie Boyle) would be playing in Wednesday's State of Origin match if she wasn't 5 months pregnant. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Millie Elliott played for the NSW Women's Origin team for 2019-2024. Picture: Tim Hunter.
'If this was retiring me, it would be a little different,' Elliott said.
'I'm going back to footy, and there are so many mums that have done the same thing, come back and play their best.'
Elliott is just one of many NRLW stars who are currently pregnant, missing both State of Origin and the 2025 season.
And upon reflection, she admits there is no right time for the female players to have children.
'I feel like it's never the right time no matter what you're doing, especially in rugby league,' Elliott said.
'You want to try and do it so it's not in the middle of the season.
'But my husband (Adam) is also a player, so trying to find the right balance that works for both of us is how we try and manage it.'
Millie Elliott (formerly Millie Boyle) would be playing in Wednesday's State of Origin match if she wasn't 5 months pregnant. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Taking the field as a commentator for Nine's coverage of the State of Origin, Elliott has used her time away from the field to transition into a media personality.
Not only working on various rugby league programs across Nine, Elliott also hosts the Say Less podcast with Roosters teammates Keeley Davis and Olive Kernick.
Never having the ambition to head into the media while playing, the 26-year-old is trying to keep as busy as possible, before her child is expected in September.
Millie Elliott playing for the Jillaroos.
'I don't like being bored, I always like being busy,' she said.
'I love being productive and around people, so whether that's on the footy field or in another work environment, it's something I enjoy doing.
'There is going to be plenty of downtime when the baby comes.'
The one person excited for the downtime and the arrival of the newborn is her partner, Knights lock Adam.
Adam Elliott and Millie Elliott at the beach over Christmas 2 months ago.
Adam and Millie Elliot married in October last year. Picture: Instagram
With Millie on the road more often than not for her new media gig, husband Adam has been left to hold down the fort alone in Newcastle.
Many will remember the scenes of Adam watching Millie win her inaugural NRLW premiership with Newcastle, and despite her not playing at the moment, the 30-year-old still watches on proud of her new journey.
'He loves it,' Millie said.
'My success is his success and he is always proud of me and pushes me to do whatever I want to do.
'He is on his own often but we know it's for a bigger reason than right now.'
Originally published as Millie Elliott's incoming baby may stop her from playing, but not the Origin feeling
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