As the temperature drops each year on Matt Gillham's family farm outside Boggabri, the Kangaroos captain knows that a highly rewarding element will soon be added to his hectic, fulfilling existence.
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That will occur when he leads the Roos in a season opener against Narrabri at Jubilee Oval on Saturday.
Looking on will be the No 9's partner of three years, Caitlyn Dewar, who hails from Narrabri.
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They met when Dewar arrived at the Kangaroos to play league tag. She still plays there, and works alongside Gillham on the club's committee.
After Saturday's match, the couple will return to their home on the Gillham's sheep, cattle and cropping property. The 25-year-old is the fifth generation of his family to work the property.
"She gets in and helps when we need help," he said of Dewar and farm life. "Other than that, everything's just good there with us."
"She's supportive of everything I do," he added. "So, I couldn't ask for much more than that."
On Friday, Gillham was working at Ag-Fix Hydraulics in Gunnedah. This year he will finish his fitter and turner apprenticeship there.
"Everything just seems to be busy all the time," he said. "If you're not at work, you seem to be doing something at home. And if you're not there, you're at footy training. So, that's about how life is at the moment."
And that's how he likes it.
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