Diehards to farewell one of their finest

A CLUBMAN through and through, Brenton McMillan will get the send off he rightfully deserves

ONE MORE TIME: Brenton McMillan gets his final crack at A-grade football in a farewell game this weekend. Picture: Will Hunter

MACCA.

A legendary name associated with one of the Dalby Diehards greatest players.

After more than 350 games for the club, Brenton McMillan will play his last game for the Diehards tomorrow night.

The 34-year-old has been with the club since 2000, playing the majority of his career in the A-grade side.

He tried to retire quietly from reserve-grade earlier this year, but A-grade coach Derek Brady asked him to sit on the bench for this weekend's match, "because he should finish in A grade”.

As he prepares for his final outing with the club, the veteran says he will be thinking of all the good times he has shared with team-mates on the field.

"I couldn't think of a better club to be a part of for this length of time,” McMillan said.

"Every year and every game I have played in has been a highlight.

"I just love the game of rugby league, so to play it from the age of six to now in my home town has been amazing.”

McMillan said when he was told he would play A grade this weekend in a "send-off” game, he became teary and emotional.

He said it was poetic that the last game he plays for the club will be in the replica Dalby Waratahs jersey, the club his father played for as an adult.

His parents will be at the game, along with his wife and children, which he says will make the day even more special.

McMillan will carry on at the club in a coaching role, which he has done for several years.

The current coach of the reserve grade side, he has also been heavily involved in all aspects of the club.

His former coach Kerry Carmichael said McMillan was the type of person which every club wanted to have.

Carmichael said the farewell game was fitting for a legend of the club who had dedicated nearly two decades of support.

"The way he has carried himself and his sportsmanship has garnered him the respect of the supporters,” he said.

"He is one of those fellas you need at a club and he deserves this send off.”

There are three games of rugby league on at the Dalby Leagues Club tomorrow, with the A-grade game kicking-off at 6.30pm.