Tallon Smith

At the peak of his powers in Group 20, the decision to join the defence force in 2023 changed the course of Cam Miller’s footy career.

After a successful stint of over a decade at West Wyalong, which included a hat-trick of reserve grade titles, the damaging front rower made the move to Wodonga to join the ADF, linking with Goulburn Murray Premiership side Border Bears last season.

In an interview with Battlers about his journey to the club, Miller said that while the decision to leave the Mallee Men came at a time where he was an established member of the first grade side, he is happy to be back playing rugby league at the Bears.

“2023 was my last year, and then I joined defence,” he said.

“Then in 2024 I hurt myself pretty badly at work and needed a foot reconstruction, and I joined the Bears halfway through the 2025 season.

“[It’s] a great club, it’s been a good transition.”

Originally from Weethalle, the 34-year-old emerged into grade football at West Wyalong during the club’s last golden era in the early to mid 2010s.

While the first grade side is perhaps most remembered for its back-to-back title wins in 2011 and 2012, Miller was a key member of the club’s reserve grade outfit, which took out four straight titles from 2012-2015.

Reflecting on those wins, as well as his time coaching the club’s league tag side, Miller said it was a part of his bush footy career that he enjoyed.

“I did a fair bit of coaching, I had some pretty successful years with the girls league tag side, and then in 2012, 2013 and 2014 I played in the reserve grade grand finals and we got three wins in a row,” he said.

“I managed to jag an intercept try in one and got best on ground which is pretty mad.

“There were a lot of years where I played reserve grade and backed up and played first grade as well.

“Prior to coming to the Bears, I was playing first grade pretty [conistently], there were some good times with Jake Goodwin and the likes as my front row partner.”

After operating a painting and decorating business in West Wyalong, Miller said he joined the ADF in the role of combat engineer before changing his career path.

“I originally joined as a combat engineer, as I said got hurt and needed a foot reconstruction, and now I’ve signed up as a plumber, and am currently doing my Certificate IV as we speak,” he said.

“As an older bloke, going back to studying has been a challenge, but it is good, it’s been the best decision I’ve made, that’s for sure.

“I’ve been lucky enough to meet some really good people and then come here and play a bit of footy.”

When asked about the demands of working in a defence role, the Bears prop said that it has its tough moments but has ultimately proven a fulfilling career change.

“It’s challenging, especially on home life, but it’s rewarding at the same time,” Miller said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what I’m doing, especially around these times like Anzac Day.

“You get the opportunity to do a lot of things, like I actually played a game of Aussie rules last week against another base, which was awesome.

“It’s been a really good decision.”

A city with a strong ADF presence, Albury-Wodonga will mark the Anzac Day with a number of services, while the Goulburn Murray competition will commemorate the significant date with the traditional match between the Corowa Cougars and Wangaratta Knights on Sunday.

As for what Anzac Day means to him as a serving member, Miller said that the day is a sombre but special one to remember the sacrifices made by our service personnel.

“It’s pretty special, especially you get around some blokes who have been around and have served overseas,” he said.

“It’s sombre, but it’s very rewarding and it makes you pretty proud.”

Looking ahead

With the aforementioned season opener between Corowa and Wangaratta this weekend, and round one on the horizon, the Bears are shaping as one of a number of teams vying for the Goulburn Murray title in 2026.

After his first full pre-season at the club, the former Group 20 enforcer said that he is confident that the effort the side has put in will hold them in good stead this year, whilst adding that he has been impressed by the standard of the competition.

“We’ve been training pretty hard, the boys have been putting in a lot of miles and some hard yakka, so I’m really just looking forward to ripping in with the boys to be honest,” he said.

“Group 9 and Group 20 are probably the premier comps [in the region], but there are some very talented footballers in this competition, it is no pushover.

“If you come here with the expectation that you’re going to run over blokes, you’re gonne get busted, it is not a pub comp by any means.

“If we can build on what we did last year, which we already have, we’re already getting twice the amount of people here which is excellent, [and] just go deep into finals, that’ll be a success in my book.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it here, and only want success for the club and also the competition.”