Nate Myles (born 24 June 1985) is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s, he last played for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League. A Queensland State of Origin and Australia national representative forward, he previously played for Canterbury-Bankstown, Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans and Manly-Warringah.

Nate Myles
Personal information
Born (1985-06-24) 24 June 1985 (age 39)
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight107 kg (16 st 12 lb)
PositionProp, Second-row, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–06 Canterbury Bulldogs 40 2 0 0 8
2007–11 Sydney Roosters 90 2 0 0 8
2012–15 Gold Coast Titans 75 3 0 0 12
2016–17 Manly Sea Eagles 26 0 0 0 0
2017 Melbourne Storm 3 0 0 0 0
Total 234 7 0 0 28
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006–17 Queensland 32 1 0 0 4
2007–11 Prime Minister's XIII 3 0 0 0 0
2010 NRL All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
2010–15 Australia 9 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Playing career

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Canterbury-Bankstown

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Myles was a Canterbury junior and a housemate of fellow future NRL stars Sonny Bill Williams and Johnathan Thurston.[2] As 2004 NRL premiers, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs faced Super League IX champions, Leeds in the 2005 World Club Challenge. Myles played from the interchange bench in the Bulldogs' 32–39 loss.

Myles made his first grade debut for Canterbury in round 1 of the 2005 NRL season against St. George Illawarra at Telstra Stadium.

In 2006 he was picked to represent Queensland in the State of Origin competition. At club level, Myles played in Canterbury's 2006 preliminary final defeat against the Brisbane Broncos at the Sydney Football Stadium. This would be Myles last game for Canterbury and he joined the Sydney Roosters for the 2007 NRL season.[3]

Sydney Roosters

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Myles moved to the Sydney Roosters for the 2007 NRL season. In November 2006, Myles was charged with drink driving following a Melbourne Cup luncheon. Sydney Roosters imposed a fine of $10,000, 20 hours of community charity work and forced him to undergo alcohol counselling.Nate was also caught releasing feces in a Hotel Hallway[4][5]

Myles first season at the club saw them miss the finals series after finishing 10th. In August 2008, Myles was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[6][7]

In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin match for 2009.[8] Following another alcohol-related incident, Myles was suspended for six matches by the NRL. At 8am on 5 July 2009 Myles was found drunk and naked on the fire escape of the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal, New South Wales. He had earlier tried to gain entry into one of the hotel's rooms, and had also defecated in the hotel's corridor. This incident was referenced by the media as "Dumpgate '09".[9]

At club level, Myles made 17 appearances for the Sydney Roosters in the 2009 NRL season as the club finished last for the first time since 1966. In 2010, the club had a complete form reversal and reached the 2010 NRL Grand Final against St. George Illawarra. Myles played at second-row in the decider as the Roosters were defeated 32–8 at Telstra Stadium.[10]

Myles played for Australia in the 2010 Four Nations tournament. In December 2010 he became engaged to Home and Away actress Tessa James.[11] The pair wed on 23 December 2011.[12]

Gold Coast Titans

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Myles was selected to play in all three matches of the 2012 State of Origin series, being awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as man of the series, which was won by Queensland for the seventh consecutive year. At the 2012 Dally M Awards Myles was named the NRL's second-row forward of the year.[13] He was also named the 2012 Gold Coast Titans season's best player and awarded the club's annual Paul Broughton Medal.

He was named a Titans co-captain for 2013 alongside Greg Bird. Myles was selected for Australia in the 2013 ANZAC Test and played from the interchange bench. In what was the first test match ever played in Canberra, New Zealand were defeated. Myles played all three games of the 2013 State of Origin series in which Queensland extended their record for consecutive series victories to eight.

In game 1 of the 2013 State of Origin series, Myles was involved in a fight with New South Wales player Paul Gallen. Gallen alleged that Myles had twisted his knee in the previous tackle. Gallen then punched Myles twice in the face. The memorable melee was one of the last significant Origin stoushes before punching was outlawed in all forms of the game.[14]

Manly-Warringah

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On 13 May 2015, Myles signed a three-year contract with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles starting in 2016.[15]

Melbourne Storm

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On 14 June 2017, Myles announced he had signed a mid season transfer to the Melbourne Storm.[16]

Myles initially played for the Storm's feeder team, Eastern Suburbs Tigers, playing against the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park, the result going down to a field goal, Easts winning 17–16.[17] On 8 July, he made his Storm debut against the Parramatta Eels in round 18 at AAMI Park.[18]

On 19 November 2017, Myles announced his retirement from the NRL.[19]

Post career

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Following his retirement from playing, Myles has worked with the Queensland rugby league team during the annual State of Origin series under head coach and former teammate Billy Slater.[20][21][22] He was also worked with the junior rugby league program at Hallam Secondary College.[23] During the origin series in 2024, Myles was given an official warning after he swore at NSW Player Joseph Sua'ali'i.[24]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ Rhys O’Neill (17 June 2015). "Nate's journey: from paris with love". The Cairns Post. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Broncos bury Bulldogs with record comeback". Australia: ABC News.
  4. ^ Northern Territory News, 8 June 2006. Story: " Myles fined for drink-driving"
  5. ^ "Nate Myles told to lift his game or risk Maroons jumper". Courier Mail.
  6. ^ Liam FitzGibbon (1 August 2008). "Surprises in Kangaroos squad". "Fox Sports News (Australia)". Archived from the original on 8 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  7. ^ "Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad". International Herald Tribune. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Australia: Fox Sports. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  9. ^ "Live Sports Scores | NRL, AFL, Cricket Scores". Fox Sports. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  10. ^ Barrett, Chris (21 September 2010). "The wooden spoon to premier gold? Roosters run recalls league history". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. ^ Davies, Rebecca (7 January 2011). "Showbiz – News – 'H&A' actress engaged to sports star – Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  12. ^ Confidential reporters (10 January 2012). "Soap starlet James weds her rugby star". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  13. ^ News Limited (4 September 2012). "All the Dally M winners plus galleries". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  14. ^ "'If ya do that again I'll punch you in the head': Paul Gallen lifts lid on Nate Myles melee". Fox Sports.
  15. ^ NRL Digital Media. "announce Nate Myles signing". Sea Eagles. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Melbourne Storm sign Nate Myles". Zero Tackle. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Myles shines in Easts win – Storm". Melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Updated team lists: Storm v Eels". National Rugby League. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  19. ^ "Nate Myles announces retirement from the NRL". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Queensland's Billy Slater names his Origin coaching panel, with Maroons legends Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston joining Josh Hannay". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  21. ^ Brinums, Jorja (19 June 2023). "Hannay: 'They get their responsibility to the jersey, to the state, to each other'". qrl.com.au. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  22. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (22 June 2023). "Collins credits Nate Myles for MOTM honours". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Storm to Support Academy Schools". melbournestorm.com.au. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  24. ^ "Maroons champion gives Joseph Sua'ali'i expletive-laden send-off". 7NEWS. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
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