The Brisbane Broncos are into their first NRL Grand Final since 2015 and plenty of fans are very happy to see them through to the season decider, including none other than Patty Mills.
Enjoying the last of the NBA off-season before he heads back to America, the Aussie basketballer was spotted in the stands at Suncorp Stadium enjoying Brisbane’s preliminary final win over the New Zealand Warriors.
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Wearing a Broncos jersey, Mills was seriously up and about as he cheered the Broncos on to a memorable 42-12 win at home.
“Patty Mills, they’re all here, they all want to hop on the bandwagon but he’s been a lifetime Broncos fan,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said in commentary.
Many fans might have been surprised to learn Mills is a Broncos supporter, given he was born and raised in Canberra.
But the 35-year-old told Johnathan Thurston on Channel 9 he’s got good reason to be a Broncos fan.
“Awesome, mate. I was born in 1988 like the Broncos and been riding the wave ever since,” Mills said.
“A lot of ups and downs. Just such a proud moment this year it has been for me watching from afar. To be here in person is just awesome. It’s great.”
Mills will miss next Sunday’s NRL Grand Final between the Broncos and Panthers in Sydney as he has to return to the US to prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
“I’m actually on my way to Atlanta,” he explained.
“I’m personally going to miss it. It means so much just to be here tonight. I’ll be up for the Grand Final. Looking forward to next year actually.
“I hopefully I can get to Vegas and watch the boys when they get over there.”
Mills and Thurston shared an embrace and continued chatting, leaving Nine’s panel in stitches.
James Bracey said: “Jonathan and Patrick on the (Las Vegas) strip. Can you imagine. What could possibly go wrong. Enough you two. Enough of the bromance.
“Now, he’s getting a selfie with Patty Mills.”
Paul Vautin joked: “JT what about us! Patty Mills for three.”
The sharpshooter was traded to three teams in 10 days in a chaotic trade period that saw him sent from the Brooklyn Nets to the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder before eventually landing at the Atlanta Hawks.
Mills led Australia’s Boomers to their first Olympic medal in Tokyo but was below his best at this month’s FIBA World Cup, where the Boomers fell short of making the quarterfinals.
He is set to join Andrew Gaze in becoming a five-time Olympian at next year’s Paris Olympics.