Frank McMillan

Brilliant attacking player and 1933-34 Kangaroo Tour captain changed the role of the fullback when he elected to come into the front line of attack. 'Skinny' McMillan was a P’matta junior who spent 14 seasons at Wests, punctuated by a brief stint with Balmain, as well as coaching the club on three separate occasions (1931, 1936 and 1945). A slightly-built fullback with an accurate, long-distance kicking game he first played for NSW in 1922 but had to wait until the 1929-30 Kangaroo tour to win a Test jersey. He played in all four Tests against England on the historic tour and returned to play in Wests' first premiership title success in the 1930 grand final. McMillan was the preferred fullback in the three Tests against Great Britain in 1932 and was named as captain-coach of the 1933-34 Kangaroos. In England his team was beaten 3-0 in the Test series but for the second time in his career he returned home to lead Wests to premiership honours. In 1934 McMillan played his final match for NSW before leading Wests to win the premiership final against Easts. He announced his retirement after Wests’ 15-12 win but made a comeback and played another eight matches in 1935. McMillan later coached Wests and then P’matta (in their debut year in 1947) before rising to the position of Wests’ Club president. He died on Boxing Day 1966, aged 67, after taking ill on holidays in Taree.