Milne will play on the right wing for the Rabbitohs in Saturday night's preliminary final against Penrith after making the spot his own in recent weeks.
The 27-year-old Fijian international only recently brought up his 50th NRL appearance after a chequered start to life in the professional game.
A gifted schoolboy footballer, Milne was shown the door by the Sydney Roosters in 2015 and then by the Tigers in 2018 after testing positive to illicit substances.
The winger credits Souths coach Jason Demetriou, who he worked with at St George Illawarra in 2016, for helping him realise that he wasn't indestructible.
"I was a bit immature and I had everything at my feet and just took everything for granted," he told AAP.
"I feel like I've grown as a person but my family and friends along with 'JD' helped me get back here.
"I was really selfish back then (at the Tigers) and I didn't care about who I was going to hurt.
"I hope my family can see the rewards (I'm reaping) now and that makes me happy.
"I want to help out other young players who get in trouble and make mistakes - what happened to me was one of the worst things that can happen to you."
Milne described the feeling of being part of a finals campaign as "surreal" but knows he could be brought back to reality on Saturday.
He is aware that he is likely to be a target for the kicking game of Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary.
"Everyone knows what he (Cleary) has in his bag of tricks," Milne said.
"It's part of our practice as wingers to deal with the high ones and the grubbers.
"They have some of the best backs there in the comp and it'll be on us to shut them down."
