Millar grew up in Victoria and came through the junior system of Langwarrin, the same club as Socceroo Bailey Wright.
Football was the passion in his family, where games in the backyard were hotly contested with his seven brothers and two sisters.
“It was two girls and eight boys, so it was just a madhouse,” the 23-year-old told The World Game.
“I loved growing up like that. We were always in the backyard and we were always playing soccer and running around.
“It was a crazy house but I had a great upbringing and it was really enjoyable with all my brothers around. Football was more from my dad’s side and my sisters played too.
“If you ask my mum, she’d disagree that it was quite a blessing as she was running around five nights a week training-wise with 10 kids. It was tough on her, but we’re mad-soccer people, we’re crazy for soccer.”
Millar is not the only member of the family to break into the pro ranks, with older brother Hamish Millar a defender with NPL Victoria club Oakleigh Cannons.
“He’s doing quite well,” Millar explained.
“He’s at Oakleigh with the coach I had at South Melbourne, Chris Taylor. He brought him over and they did well, I think they got to the quarter-finals in the NPL in Victoria.
“He’s doing well and there’s a few younger brothers who are doing well, and plenty still to come through.”
Millar had to rebuild his career in the Victorian state league with South Melbourne for two seasons after he was released by Melbourne City in 2016.
Last season the former Australian youth international was picked up Central Coast Mariners where he thrived in the A-League, making 24 appearances for the Gosford-based outfit.
Millar’s transfer to rivals Newcastle caused some controversy last season but the defender has no regrets about his decision to head north.
“There’s a bit of background stuff going on, but I just found Newcastle were very, very keen to get me down,” he said.
“I had quite a few chats with Ernie and I was really excited to work with him. I think it was just there was a lot of positives coming from Newcastle and it would suit me best to take my game to the next level. It was just too enticing for me to not come here.
“It was important for me the Jets had a lot of stability. If you look at their team from last season they’ve kept that core bunch of boys that took them to the grand final two years ago.
“For me that was a massive selling point as well – the stability. That’s going to be really exciting because they’ve got the team to get to a grand final. They’ve added some great players, it should be a really good year.”
Millar will have the chance to face his former club when Newcastle take on the Mariners this weekend.
The right-back is expecting to get a hostile reception at Central Coast Stadium.
“I had a little bit of a laugh when the fixtures came out,” he said.
“I’m pretty excited for it. Even towards the end of last season the fans were a bit disappointed I was leaving, but it’s always a positive if you’re getting booed, you can look at it like that.
“It means you’re a valuable member and it’s disappointing that you’re going, so you can look at it like that. It should be good, the F3 derby games are the ones you want to play in.
“For me, they are one of the highlights of last season. The crowds you get, the atmosphere, it’s one of the best games of the season and I’m pretty excited to do it again this year.”
