Millane name to fly again with Magpies as Zai Millane joins Collingwood VFL program
More than 30 years after the late, great Darren Millane played for Collingwood, his nephew, described as having a ‘huge amount of upside’, has joined Magpies’ VFL team.
Zai has become a Pie — and the Millane family’s connection to Collingwood continues.
Zai Millane, the nephew of premiership great Darren, has relocated from the Gold Coast to play with the Magpies’ VFL team.
The 19-year-old represented Queensland at under-age level and made his VFL debut for Gold Coast last year.
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The Suns Academy squad member has played senior football for Surfers Paradise in the QAFL for three years.
Surfers Paradise coach and former Collingwood half-forward Sam Dwyer said Millane was raw but talented.
“He’s certainly got a lot of ability,’’ he said.
“Athletically, he’s very gifted. His lateral movement is elite. His speed is elite.
“His improvement this year on where he was last year, I thought he made huge gains.
“He’s very attacking – he’ll take the game on, he’ll run and carry, he’ll bounce, he’ll break lines.
“But he’s still learning the game too. I think the more confident he gets and the more he plays at the level and gets used to the speed, his disposal will get better. I think that comes with experience, disposal and decision-making. Overall he’s got a huge amount of upside.’’
Dwyer said a back injury interrupted Millane’s 2025 season, but he was part of the club’s grand final team.
New VFL entrant Tasmania was also keen to recruit Millane, whose father, John, played for Dandenong in the old VFA.
John Millane relocated to Queensland more than 30 years ago and figured in a premiership with Southport in 1992.
His brothers Darren (Collingwood in 1990) and Sean (Dandenong in the VFA in 1991) had played in flags in the previous two years.
Collingwood’s 2026 VFL squad will also feature a father-son player in Oscar Lonie.
The 18-year-old son of 123-game Magpie Ryan has graduated from Talent League club Dandenong Stingrays, where he played 14 games this year, as a midfielder, wingman and half-forward.
He also appeared at senior level for Frankston Bombers in the Mornington Peninsula league.
Lonie was a much-awarded junior player with the Bombers and Frankston Dolphins.
His father played alongside new Collingwood VFL coach Matt Lokan.
The VFL Pies have also signed former AFL Kangaroos Eddie Ford and Brynn Teakle.
Originally published as Millane name to fly again with Magpies as Zai Millane joins Collingwood VFL program
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