Milton Thaiday


Milton Thaiday is a former Torres Strait Islander rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition.
Milton Thaiday played fullback and had been the regular first choice fullback since the 2005 season. When on the field he is strong in defence and his speed helps out with supporting attacks and making breaks through the defensive line. After playing with the immortal Tom Irwin under coach of the year Aaron Mahony for the Dungog Warriors, Milton was one of the Knights' shining players during their dismal start to the 2005 season, and played well in 2006 before he picked up an injury and missed the remaining fixtures. He is a cousin of Sam of the Brisbane Broncos. In the 2005 season he scored 7 tries in 14 appearances.
Milton suffered a season ending shoulder injury in round 5 and missed the remainder of the 2007 campaign.
In the 2007 season Milton did not feature much for The Knights as he was battling injury, with coach Brian Smith preferring utility Kurt Gidley at fullback over the explosive Thaiday. Thaiday retired at the end of the 2007 season.

Rugby union career

Thaiday played Super 14 Rugby for the New South Wales Waratahs, scoring a try when the Waratahs played the Pacific Islanders in June 2004.

Career highlights

He initially began his professional career in rugby union playing for the NSW Waratahs in Super 12 Rugby. He was discovered by rugby great Mark Ella while playing in a local competition at Lismore, northern NSW.