Footy, family and a fire that still burns: How Adam got his groove back

Finally Adam Elliott is back playing rugby league again after a string of injuries and a change of clubs resulted in him missing a year of football. 

But while his career at South Sydney is hitting its straps, the other juggling act Elliott is performing with wife Millie is ongoing. 

Organising parental timetables when both are professional footballers, with different clubs, isn’t easy. Then you throw in a Women’s State of Origin series. 

“We’re like ships in the night sometimes,” Elliott told NRL.com after he played 21 minutes off the Rabbitohs bench, at hooker, in the 36-12 win over the Sharks.

“(Mother-in-law) Shelly has actually moved in with us and that’s made things a lot easier.” 

The Elliotts welcomed their first child Gigi last September and already she’s been to many training sessions for Souths, Millie’s NRLW club the Roosters, and the NSW Blues women’s Origin team. 

“Millie couldn’t do what she does without her mum’s support so we’re both extremely grateful for that family bond and connection,” Elliott said. 

“It’s so great because it’s allowed Millie to get back playing and I’m so proud of her and what she can do on a footy field, let alone as a young mum.” 

The feeling is mutual as Millie dearly wanted to be at Accor Stadium last Saturday night to watch Elliott make his club debut for the Rabbitohs. 

“She’s upset she missed it. I owe her so much – she’s been my rock," he said.

Elliott has shown pretty firm resilience himself. 

It was May 2025 that Elliott ruptured his biceps in the Round 12 match between Newcastle and Penrith at Bathurst, where the Knights enjoyed a 25-6 win.  

“The surgeon ruled me out for the year but it was one of those things that if we (Newcastle) were going to make finals I would have fast-tracked it,” said Elliott, who has again been named on Wayne Bennett's bench for the Magic Round clash with the Dolphins. 

“It was disappointing because it meant I played my last game for the Knights in Round 12. 

“I still stay in contact with a few of the boys there – they’re good friends – and I’m very happy they’re doing so well this year. 

“In fact a couple of the boys rent Millie and my place up there as we’re now based down in Sydney.” 

The Elliotts moved south and Adam began pre-season with the Rabbitohs just before Christmas. But he injured his calf and it became a nagging problem that he re-injured towards the end of his rehab. That meant he missed the first nine rounds of the season.

But he didn’t miss a tackle in his Rabbitohs debut at hooker, although he’s spent the bulk of his 174-game career at the Bulldogs, Raiders, and Knights, at lock.