Dean Collis
A powerful and reliable centre, his career spanned over a decade across Australia's top rugby league competitions, known for his defensive grit.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Australian rugby league footballer·Birthday: October 21·Millennials
Biography
Dean Collis emerged from the New South Wales rugby league pathways, making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2005. The centre quickly established himself as a dependable figure in the backline, his strong running and solid defensive work becoming his trademarks. His journey saw him wear the colors of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, contributing to various campaigns with a consistent, no-frills approach. After his NRL tenure, Collis embraced the role of a veteran leader in the English Super League with Widnes Vikings, before returning to Australia to play in community competitions, closing the loop on a professional journey defined by resilience and adaptability.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dean was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dean Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Dean's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made over 100 NRL appearances across stints with the Wests Tigers, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
- Played in the English Super League for the Widnes Vikings during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
- Scored a total of 36 tries in his first-grade NRL career, primarily playing as a centre.
Did You Know?
He played his junior rugby league for the Cabramatta Two Blues.
Collis was part of the Wests Tigers squad that reached the 2005 NRL finals series.
His father, Greg Collis, also played first-grade rugby league in the 1970s and 80s.
“A good centre does his job in defence so the outside men can attack.”
