Can Miller do it?

[CowboyFromHell]

He has said that he wants to at least TRY and fill the hole left by Neitz and now, with Robbo going down, we need him to stand up more than ever.

But can he do it? Can we stick him in the goal square and let him play soley as a FF? We know he can lead and mark well and, while his kicking is suspect, it would play to his strengths.

Is this the way to go?

 

[Marns]

I've always preferred him leading out of the 50. Unless his kicking improves 1000-fold, I doubt it. Would love to be proved wrong though.

 

[CaptainDavey]

We have to come to terms with the fact that Miller is an average player, he's not going to be the superstar we'd hope he would be. He'll fill the gap short term but we need Newton to make the spot his own, or draft accordingly.

I wouldn't mind a midget forward line though with Aussie, Davey, Yze, Sylvia, Bate etc etc

 

[CowboyFromHell]

I've always preferred him leading out of the 50. Unless his kicking improves 1000-fold, I doubt it. Would love to be proved wrong though.

I went looking for his goal kicking stats... he has 7.2 this year which doesn't say much, but I have a feeling his kicking has improved a touch this year.

I'm like you though - would love him to prove us all wrong and become a regular goal kicker out the square. I can dream, after all.

 

[Dez!]

At least someone is putting there hand up, what's the harm in giving him a go at it anyway? We haven't got anything to lose this year and he could prove everyone wrong.

 

[davey_magik]

He's actually a good long kick.
Just never has shown it as he's either played back or been marking it 80m out.

 

[Bartram_Class]

He was instrumental in our win over Fremantle, much of which he spent just in and around the 50, even kicking a goal in the last.

I'd definitely give him a shot, let Bate have CHF.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

He was instrumental in our win over Fremantle, much of which he spent just in and around the 50, even kicking a goal in the last.

I'd definitely give him a shot, let Bate have CHF.

I still think we need another tall up there with Bate. Can Newton play that far from goal? Dunn? Even Rivers? Play a small with them from 50m-80m out, then have Miller in the goalsquare with two smalls at his feet.

 

[The Dr]

I like Miller's attitude but I have a feeling he's just not good enough anywhere on the field.
BUT,
I am happy to see him have a crack at it for a few weeks. As long as he gives us a good contest, we should have decent crumbers to take advantage.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

I like Miller's attitude but I have a feeling he's just not good enough anywhere on the field.
BUT,
I am happy to see him have a crack at it for a few weeks. As long as he gives us a good contest, we should have decent crumbers to take advantage.

Good post, and I think this is the key. We need contests down there, and players who will work hard to keep the ball in our forward 50. Miller always gives us a contest and isn't afraid to chase either. I think he deserves a good month of playing out of the square to see what he is made of.

 

[StingaArmstrong]

Good post, and I think this is the key. We need contests down there, and players who will work hard to keep the ball in our forward 50. Miller always gives us a contest and isn't afraid to chase either. I think he deserves a good month of playing out of the square to see what he is made of.

Agreed. I think what also needs to happen is for the midfielders to be a bit more composed when delivering the ball. Too often against the Saints we bombed long without looking. Deliver it to the advantage of the forwardline and they might have a chance.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Agreed. I think what also needs to happen is for the midfielders to be a bit more composed when delivering the ball. Too often against the Saints we bombed long without looking. Deliver it to the advantage of the forwardline and they might have a chance.

I also think the problem was that our forwards lead too far up the ground and when we got the ball about 70-80m out we were kicking to a 1 on 3. Hopefully Bails doesn't do this again this week or it could be yet another smashing.

 

[The Dr]

Just off thread, does anyone reckon we're even a small chance this weekend? I normally feel pretty confident on QB (even last year) but if McLean, Flash, Rivers, Dutchy etc all fail to get up, I can't see us getting close.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Just off thread, does anyone reckon we're even a small chance this weekend? I normally feel pretty confident on QB (even last year) but if McLean, Flash, Rivers, Dutchy etc all fail to get up, I can't see us getting close.

I think it depends on selection - if Davey gets up along with Rivers, and McLean and Bate keep their spots then I think we are a loooooooooooooong shot to give it a crack. We were in the same spot last year, although that really counts for nothing.

 

[The Dr]

True. Really hope Maric comes in too, just to see what he's like!

 

[StingaArmstrong]

I also think the problem was that our forwards lead too far up the ground and when we got the ball about 70-80m out we were kicking to a 1 on 3. Hopefully Bails doesn't do this again this week or it could be yet another smashing.

Agreed again. Should help having another target (Newton) in the forward fifty if Miller and Bate are leading up the ground.

 

[RandB]

I actually like Miller at FF. I have no idea how he will go but I think that FF plays to his strengths more than CHF. I know it is a cliché that I rip out from time to time but the game has gone up a notch too much in the last couple of years for Miller at CHF.

FF is a different matter. What we actually want is a guy who stays close to the goal square, is a reasonable mark with decent mobility and can lay a tackle when required. IMO Miller fits the bill reasonably well. He is also reasonably strong. The only question mark is his leap and ability to take a mark either in a pack or with a few opponents but he ticks most boxes.

This could be good for forward structure too. We have the roaming forwards like Bate, Dunn and smaller crumbers like Wona and even Yze and we only use Miller if we have to bang it long or if he has a good lead. The key to the success of Miller is to not go to him every time or we will be too predictable like we were with Neitz.

Where this leaves Newton I am not sure but given his experience or lack there of, maybe a pocket would do. If Brisbane can organise Brown and Bradshaw why can't we do a similar thing?

 

[Pipefitter]

Miller should be used as a full forward. He doesnt have the brain to manage our entries into the 50. Plus if he actually starts getting a few goals week in week out, he'll get some confidence, maybe some cockyness back into his game which he needs.

 

[McLean_4_Captain]

Good post, and I think this is the key. We need contests down there, and players who will work hard to keep the ball in our forward 50. Miller always gives us a contest and isn't afraid to chase either. I think he deserves a good month of playing out of the square to see what he is made of.

That's what i want from Miller as a full forward, he could successfully play full forward but only kick 1 or 2 goals a game, as long as he tries his arse off and creates a contest. It'd be great for him to kick 5 or 6 every week, but if he kicks 1 and creates 5, then he's done more then enough. If he's deep in the forward line creating contests and using pressure to keep the ball in the forward fifty, we have good enough small forwards who will kick the goals.

Miller could be our forward line enforcer kicking about 40 goals a year, then our davey's and wonna's and robbo's can do the bulk of our goal kicking roving off Miller. Both the '06 and '07 premiership side main forward targets only kick 55 regular season goals, so you don't necessarily have to have a 80 goals a year FF.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

The club is saying that they are keen to rotate guys like Green and Bruce through the forward 50, so maybe we can have them as leading targets with Miller out of the square?

I still think that we will struggle to kick goals BUT if we re-jig it the right way we are still capable of kicking a competitive score.

 

[master bate]

I just can't have Miller at full forward, his kicking for goal is terrible. I say we have Miller, Bate and Wonna across the CHF line because I know those 3 can be really competitive there. Then we play Dutchy at full forward because he provides such a good target, and when he is fit Newton can take his place. We can put Davey, Sylvia and Maric around him.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Maybe we could go for a small/medium HF (50-80) with some speed who could quickly get the ball into the forward line.

Something like:
Davey Bate Aussie

That way if we break the lines we can kick over them to the FF line or use their pace to get uncontested possessions then send it to a waiting Miller & or Newton.

But the main thing is to give him a chance to either prove himself in a position or get rid of him, we have shown enough loyalty to him & now it is time to go to the next level or be delisted.

The time to do this is now, if we wait until rd 19-22 he will play 1 or 2 or those great games that show what he could be capable of, then we end up keeping him so he can wast a spot on our list for another year.

Don't get me wrong I like the lad he has the desire but can not translate to application on the field.

 

[malodeez]

he was supposed to be our next captain. maybe he needs added responsability to bring out the best in him

 

[master bate]

he was supposed to be our next captain. maybe he needs added responsability to bring out the best in him

Don't like that theory at all. Miller is a player who tries 100% but he just really really struggles to impact games besides every now and then when he plays a ripper. I think we continue with him in his best position at CHF for the rest of the year, surely by then Bailey will know whether he can do it or not. I don't think he can become a backmen or a full forward.

 

[malodeez]

just clutching at straws for him. i like him, but he aint that good..... yet. hasnt realised his potential. i know i know im making excuses