EXCLUSIVE: Pregnant NRLW players returning with support the 'new norm', says Millie Elliott

Four-time NRLW premiership player Millie Elliott has opened up on being pregnant as a professional rugby league player.

With pregnancy and motherhood once thought of as a potential career-ending event for female athletes, Elliott explained that pregnant players now receive improved support to continue their careers after childbirth.

Elliott, who is expecting her first child with NRL player Adam, will not take to the field this season, taking a 12-month break from rugby league before returning to the Sydney Roosters in 2026 to fulfil her two-year contract.

READ MORE: Flanagan frustrated with controversial forward pass call

READ MORE: Teen phenom scores long-range epic with first touch in NRLW

READ MORE: New-look Matildas team shocked by world No.56

The 27-year-old is due to give birth in September and is confident she will be back playing next year.

"I love footy, I love being a part of it, but I'm also really excited for this next chapter and all plans are to go back next year," she told Nine's Freddy and The Eighth podcast.

As part of the league's latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was negotiated for 2023-2027, a pregnancy and parental leave policy was established to provide support for players who become pregnant or become parents.

Under this, players' contracts are protected during pregnancy, adoption, surrogacy and secondary caretaking. Players contracted for multiple seasons are entitled to up to 12 months of paid parental leave at their playing fee value.

Watch the 2025 NRLW premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Their place in their club's squad is also guaranteed once they complete their customised return-to-play plan.

To account for this, clubs can sign a replacement player to cover a pregnant player in their top-24 squad for the season. The cost is subsidised by the NRL and does not count towards the club's salary cap.

Pregnant players may also be offered suitable alternative work within their club.

"After the last CBA, they've done it now that if you do get pregnant, then clubs can bring someone else in to cover for your position," Elliott said.

"You still get paid [for] your contract for that time as long as you're following the guidelines — you're staying fit and your intention is to get back.

"You go into a club role as well. So, you work at the club in a different role. [This way] you stay around the team and are supported in that way."

With players more aware of their rights and the support available to them, Elliott believes mothers returning to play in the NRLW after childbirth is the new reality.

"We are so lucky in our game now. We've seen so many do it," she said.

"I was lucky enough last year to have Corban Baxter and Sammy Bremner and play alongside them, and they are mothers to two and three kids.

"So, it's just the new norm, I feel like."

The NRLW season kicked off on Thursday night and Elliott's Roosters are the defending premiers.