The following year after his high school success, Zillman returned to rugby league to play with the Canberra Raiders Queensland-based feeder club the Souths Logan Magpies.

More representative honours came Zillman's way as he was a vital member of Canberra's finals campaign in Premier League, earning him selection in the 2005 Junior Kangaroos and the Australian Invitational XIII as a fullback.

At 19 years of age Zillman was named in the starting squad at fullback and although scoring two tries on debut, Canberra went down 70–32 in a record-breaking heavy defeat by Newcastle.

The young Queenslander didn't let this set-back get in the way of his rugby as he shone as a stand-out player in the Premier League amassing 17 tries in the season and securing another Australian jersey through selection in the 2006 Junior Kangaroos.

Then injury woes struck as he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against the North Queensland Cowboys which would require reconstructive surgery and side-line Zillman for the remainder of the season.

[citation needed] Studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) at University of Queensland Gatton Campus William Zillman Official Site