Following a successful 80-minute stint in the Charity Shield, the birth of his first child and signing of a new one-year contract with defending premiers South Sydney, former Bulldogs and Dragons centre Daryl Millard is currently on cloud nine.
Having left France with the intent on raising his month-old baby boy Kai with partner Pamela back in Australia, Millard risked his rugby league career for the benefit of his quickly expanding family – a move that has seemingly paid off.
"The birth of my first child was a huge reason why we wanted to come back to Australia. It's a nice present and it's been absolutely awesome, mate," Millard told NRL.com
"My little boy is awesome and he is doing well. I'm proud of my partner with what she did too. Life is pretty good at the moment."
Millard signed with the Rabbitohs on a train-and-trial basis in early January, following a five-year stint in the Super League with Wakefield and Catalans, and said he was inspired to be joining such an illustrious club.
Having lost some cattle in their outside backs with Lote Tuqiri's departure and Kirisome Auva'a's suspension, the Rabbitohs' recruitment of Millard could potentially be beneficial for both parties.
"It's been really good to come back to the premiers, especially now that I've signed for the rest of the year. The club is run really well and it couldn't have played out any better the way I've fallen back into the NRL," Millard said.
"I knew a couple of boys already too. I knew Bryson Goodwin from the Bulldogs and I've played against Joel Reddy my whole life. In saying that, I didn't know really anyone too well but they are all really good guys and it has been a pretty easy transition.
"The thing about this club is that you can feel the bond with the boys – it's a really good feeling. There are a lot of young guys and a great coaching staff. Everything about the club is what you want in an NRL team which is really good."
While family reasons played a huge part in Millard's return to Sydney, the 29-year-old couldn't help but feel he departed for the Super League perhaps too early in his career.
"If I had my time again I wouldn't have left so early but in saying I had great experiences. I could've gone at the end of my career like so many before me have but I didn't do that," Millard said.
"My last year in the NRL [back in 2009 with the Bulldogs] wasn't how I wanted to leave so if I had my time again, and if someone had given me a little bit more advice, I would've gone to another club if I was back in that position and continue playing in the best competition in the world."
Now it's just a matter of the eight-time Fijian international building on his 60 NRL games under new coach Michael Maguire.
"Madge is a really good coach and all he's said to me is to put my best foot forward and he'll pick who he thinks is doing that," Millard said. "I just have to keep training well and that's all that I can do for now."
