Potential answer to the Miller positioning problem.

[melbournemartin]

What are his strengths?

-Decent mark
-Reasonably quick on the lead
-Decent body size
-Is always enthusiastic. Probably one of his best traits.

What are his weaknesses?

-Handballs to players under pressure stupidly
-Can barely kick 50 metres
-Doesn't read the play well in defence
-Isn't very quick when he gets the ball
-Doesn't have good decision making skills in general

What do we do?

I say we give him a shot out of the goalsquare. He can stay close to goal so his weak kicking won't hurt him. His accuracy, however, has improved dramatically over the years. Last year I was reasonably impressed with how he played there when Neitz and Robertson were injured. He kicked 7.3 in 4 games.

The only issue is the forward line crowding but really, compared to the current setup, it'd just mean we can't rest a ruckman down forward. Neitz and Miller would be in the goalsquare with Robertson a little further up and Newton at CHF.

Any comments?

 

[Redlegs2011]

He is only a good Mark when he is on the lead with a clear break other wise he is crap. Had his chance is there for depth and will be gone by next draft.

 

[Yze13]

When he plays as an out and out CHF, he leads into the centre which is way to far for a CHF to lead in my opinion. If I had an answer ,I'd play him ten meters in front of Neitz so he can lead to the correct spot ,middle ,left or right doesn't matter as long as he's in the 50 arc or there abouts. Bloody frustrating player to watch I tell you.

 

[FOOOOTY]

He doesnt have the smarts to lead from FF... he can go on a long lead to the wing and does ok... but then he usually turns the ball over, i'd love to be proved wrong, but i just dont think he has enough tools to make it at AFL level.

The best he ever played for Melbourne was when he was acting as type of an enforcer coming off CHF.. if he can make his presence felt consistently, with perceived pressure from a reputation as a bloke that delivers hard hits on people, (who cares if he cops a few suspensions) he could find his place in the side..

 

[Bartram_Class]

Its either as a defender or nout for Bradley IMO.

If he doesnt show a bit of improvement this year, hes out.

 

[demonfan9]

I'm in two minds.

Last year, I came to the conclusion that he is a much more productive forward when Neitz isn't in the team (don't know why, but it's statistically proven). Given that Neitz is in his last season, perhaps that will help Miller in 2009?

However, I've also been on the "Backline or Out" bandwagon recently too, because he has simply been far too inconsistent over his career.

 

[Deenamite]

I remember when Miller used to get suspended more times than he got a kick which was a major amusement factor for me. I'm not saying he should go nuts again but a big presence wouldn't hurt us and i wouldn't give a shit anyway if he did get suspended.

 

[FOOOOTY]

I'm not saying he should go nuts again.

I am! go ****in nuts MILLER!!!!!!!!!!! if he lines up Adam Cooney and breaks his ribs coming off the line from CHF at the first bounce, hes earned his spot

 

[mdrecords]

Miller has proven over the years that he is neither consistent forward or back.
he is an average player prob rate him 2-2.5/5

i rekon he can be productive deep forward when neitz isn't playing. does not play consistent from CHF and gets beaten too often down at CHB.

He needs to use his frame and perfect the enforcer roll. he needs to stop focusing on how he can play well (cause it's not a reality at the moment) and start focusing on how he can help his team mates . crash contests down back, tackle and chase hard, set screens in forward line, lay hard sheppards. take your strong marks when open.

 

[CaptainDavey]

I agree with the notion that he should be played out of the forward line. The deeper the better. IIRC the game he played against Freo in the finals was none too shabby leading up and dishing off some handballs but nonetheless, he could probably be more damaging if he runs and makes lead deep in the 50.

As I always say, you need some sort of brain capacity to play CHB, something Miller clearly doesn't have. Although they aren't the most talented trio when put together, but Holland, Carroll and Rivers have proven to be an effective backline, and with the emergence of Bell and Frawley it will only get stronger. Miller shouldn't be played down there. One good game against Barry Hall doesn't make a career.

That said, he should be used up forward. And it's time he got his aggression back. We need an enforcer in the team and for a little bit he used to be it. GET ON THE ANGRY PILLS BRADLEY

 

[MicksterD]

Miller should play CHF because its the only position I have ever seen him play a reasonable game. He has a good mark on the lead and he can do that reasonably consistently. I think he gets thrown around different positions too much - he needs to find a home at CHF and take marks leading up the ground.

 

[mdrecords]

In Summary:

- The deeper miller is played in the forward line the better
and
- No matter where you are played. play as an enforcer and hit hard


Also:

i recall only 3 games where i have thought brad miller has perfected his position played


- The time we played sydney at sydney and miller played CHB and shut down barry hall (2005)

- Mothers day when melbourne played collingwood and miller took about 20 marks playing off of CHF (2006)

- Our latest final against fremantle where again when miller was moved from CHB to CHF he dominated the 2nd half (2006)

 

[Clint Bizkit]

Miller plays best at Sandy.

 

[Supermercado]

Sack him. That neatly solves the issue. Then he can have his one good game for his new club against us and *******s will start wondering why we traded him (see Grgic, Brent)

 

[old_clint]

Miller plays best at Sandy.

I saw him play a prolific last quarter against Coburg last year, he took three excellent contested marks and he converted, one from the 50m arc. The game however had been well won. At VFL level he would be able to do it week-in week-out.

 

[nsj91]

how the hell is he in the leadership group?
I shook my head when we put gibbsy in there last year.. but this is far worse IMO.
Isn't a leader a role model that the younger players look up to and aspire to be like? Assuming that's the criteria.. then what the hell is he doing in there?

 

[afterburner]

I agree with much that has been said here. I think Miller has only ever played well in defence against Barry Hall. I also think the best game he has played for us was the Semi Final against Freo at Subi in 2006. The issue of him dishing off by hand to team mates up the ground as a CHF can be solved if we worked to a game plan and the receivers were expecting the ball comming to them by hand.

I think Bailey should throw Miller forward and let him demand the ball, rather than try to follow an opposition forward and attempt to anticipate his movements. I also believe Miller has a fear to hit the packs and run through players since he was sighted and suspended for a few games a couple of years ago.

His strength on the field is his size and presence, he needs to use that. He will never be the most skillfull player but neither was Earl Spalding and he managed to become a reasonable CHF.

And to the Carlton supporter above, a leader is someone who demonstrates leadership around the club. For all we know Miller could be the hardest worker on the track, the guy who spends more time in the gym than anyone else and the player who is the first to put his hand up when someone is needed. That is leadership, and unless you're in the inner sanctum of the MFC you're not the one to judge.

 

[Go-Ricky15]

Miller has proven over the years that he is neither consistent forward or back.
he is an average player prob rate him 2-2.5/5

i rekon he can be productive deep forward when neitz isn't playing. does not play consistent from CHF and gets beaten too often down at CHB.

He needs to use his frame and perfect the enforcer roll. he needs to stop focusing on how he can play well (cause it's not a reality at the moment) and start focusing on how he can help his team mates . crash contests down back, tackle and chase hard, set screens in forward line, lay hard sheppards. take your strong marks when open.

I'm actually of the opinion that this is a major problem for our whole team. Every game i watch, without a doubt, i end up spending half the time thinking "why the truck don't we help the man with the ball?" Everyone else in the league still uses the simple Shepperd, and it is a great tool, however when ever we seem to get the ball, all our other players either aren't there, or if they are, the disperse in different directions and watch on as our man gets smashed. One of the most frustrating things about our team i reckon.