Harry Mills and Ollie McKenzie: Future brother-in-laws unite in Magpies front-row

It's a highly anticipated union between to Tamworth families.

Before that happens, there is another union generating substantial buzz that also involves the two families.

At Armidale on Saturday, Mills and McKenzie played their first top-grade game together when they packed down at tight and loosehead prop respectively.

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The special moment was enhanced by Tamworth rebounding from an opening round loss to beat the Blues 10-7 in wet conditions.

It was Mills, 23, who introduced his 21-year-old future brother-in-law to the Magpies after the Farrer alumnus finished high school.

"So, it's been cool to watch him come through the ranks [at the club]," said Mills, who described playing with McKenzie as "awesome".

"Traditionally, Ollie's played a fair bit of second grade and third grade," he added.

"So, I was yelling at him a fair bit in the first-grade game. But he definitely stepped up big time - and I let him know that after the game."

FYI: Mills' sister Charlotte is in a relationship with Jordan Bridge, who played third grade for Tamworth last season.

"Ollie and Jordan are awesome," Mills said. "They are perfect partners for my sisters, and have become big parts of the family."

Saturday's clash was "super tough" - a real forwards battle, he continued.

"We knew our forwards were a bit of a weak spot last week," he said of the 24-0 loss to St Alberts, which he missed after contracting Covid for a second time.

"So, to have a forwards game and get the win was a bit of a big one for us."

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