Wayde Mills - Southport

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Hey all,
There has been a bit of buzz up here on the Coast that Southport Shark Wayde Mills (tall defender type, U18 All-Australian) will be drafted.

Has anyone seen/heard much about this kid and is he likely to be drafted?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Cheers...

 

[Streaker]

Wayde Mills
DOB: 29/8/1987
Club: Southport
Height: 196 cms
Weight: 88 kgs
Position: Centre Half Back/Full Back
All Australian 2005
Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship 2005

Tall defender who led his team extremely well with strong physical presence and strong attack on the ball. Moved from Lennox Heads in northern New South Wales to live in a caravan in Brisbane to further his football.

Mills has travelled from his home town across the border to the Gold Coast for a number of years to play football, most recently for regional powerhouse Southport, with whom he won a grand final last year.

But as the possibility of being drafted by an AFL club came closer, the Mills family decided that commuting between Lennox Head and the Brisbane home base of the state under-18 side was impractical. So Mills and his mother Sharlene upped and left nine weeks ago for Mount Gravatt, leaving father Richard at home.

The move was made easier financially by the awarding of a Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship to the 17-year-old. The scholarships are designed to offer financial support to young players in their education and training while they pursue an AFL career.

"I think between him and his parents, they made a commitment probably three years ago that they wanted to give him every opportunity, but they're not over-the-top-type parents, they're terrific parents who are supporting him in what he wants to achieve," AFL Queensland talent development manager Mark Browning said yesterday. "We'd spoken about it 12 months ago because he actually won a Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship through the players' association. We applied for that on the idea that, financially, if he got some support, he'd be able to relocate.

"So it's probably been a 12-month plan and that came from them more than me because, realistically, they were doing the travelling, and as I said to his dad, it's not so much wear and tear, it's how it affects his performance, just the grind of it."

Helped by his mother, Mills is studying school by correspondence from the caravan park until his time with the Queensland side is over and he can return to Lennox Head. "She's on my case a fair bit," he joked. "It's pretty hard to do it by yourself."

For the rest of the season, he will turn out for Southport, where coach Norm Dare allows him some leeway as to how often he makes the trip to the Gold Coast for training. "Norm Dare doesn't mind me missing training, I just do training down at home and go up to play. He's a good bloke," Mills said.

Like Williams and Moran, Mills does not have a background steeped in Australian football. The family comes originally from Albury and Deniliquin, where Mills' father, Richard, played the game, but Mills did not take it up until 2001. Previously, he had starred in athletics and rugby union.

But Mills said that at 196 centimetres and 88 kilograms, he was more suited to AFL.

"People were saying, 'You'll probably play for the Wallabies one day', but I had a think about it and thought I didn't really want to, I'd prefer to play AFL, so I just talked to my dad about it and decided to travel to play footy."

Plays very much like Collingwoods James Clement but is considerably taller. Very Poised in defence, has good skills and can play on smaller opponents without a worry. His size and versatility will make him a precious commodity at the draft. Could be the ideal long term candidate to eventually take CHB as well as being able to cover for any injuries to Glass.

Wayde Mills played at centre half-back in Southport's AFLQ grand final side last year at just 16 years of age.

 

[Killer_Lions]

Wayde Mills
DOB: 29/8/1987
Club: Southport
Height: 196 cms
Weight: 88 kgs
Position: Centre Half Back/Full Back
All Australian 2005
Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship 2005

Tall defender who led his team extremely well with strong physical presence and strong attack on the ball. Moved from Lennox Heads in northern New South Wales to live in a caravan in Brisbane to further his football.

Mills has travelled from his home town across the border to the Gold Coast for a number of years to play football, most recently for regional powerhouse Southport, with whom he won a grand final last year.

But as the possibility of being drafted by an AFL club came closer, the Mills family decided that commuting between Lennox Head and the Brisbane home base of the state under-18 side was impractical. So Mills and his mother Sharlene upped and left nine weeks ago for Mount Gravatt, leaving father Richard at home.

The move was made easier financially by the awarding of a Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship to the 17-year-old. The scholarships are designed to offer financial support to young players in their education and training while they pursue an AFL career.

"I think between him and his parents, they made a commitment probably three years ago that they wanted to give him every opportunity, but they're not over-the-top-type parents, they're terrific parents who are supporting him in what he wants to achieve," AFL Queensland talent development manager Mark Browning said yesterday. "We'd spoken about it 12 months ago because he actually won a Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship through the players' association. We applied for that on the idea that, financially, if he got some support, he'd be able to relocate.

"So it's probably been a 12-month plan and that came from them more than me because, realistically, they were doing the travelling, and as I said to his dad, it's not so much wear and tear, it's how it affects his performance, just the grind of it."

Helped by his mother, Mills is studying school by correspondence from the caravan park until his time with the Queensland side is over and he can return to Lennox Head. "She's on my case a fair bit," he joked. "It's pretty hard to do it by yourself."

For the rest of the season, he will turn out for Southport, where coach Norm Dare allows him some leeway as to how often he makes the trip to the Gold Coast for training. "Norm Dare doesn't mind me missing training, I just do training down at home and go up to play. He's a good bloke," Mills said.

Like Williams and Moran, Mills does not have a background steeped in Australian football. The family comes originally from Albury and Deniliquin, where Mills' father, Richard, played the game, but Mills did not take it up until 2001. Previously, he had starred in athletics and rugby union.

But Mills said that at 196 centimetres and 88 kilograms, he was more suited to AFL.

"People were saying, 'You'll probably play for the Wallabies one day', but I had a think about it and thought I didn't really want to, I'd prefer to play AFL, so I just talked to my dad about it and decided to travel to play footy."

Plays very much like Collingwoods James Clement but is considerably taller. Very Poised in defence, has good skills and can play on smaller opponents without a worry. His size and versatility will make him a precious commodity at the draft. Could be the ideal long term candidate to eventually take CHB as well as being able to cover for any injuries to Glass.

Wayde Mills played at centre half-back in Southport's AFLQ grand final side last year at just 16 years of age.

I've seen Southport play a few times and I think Mills has a bad kicking style that needs working on. Has been dragged for not being able to keep up with the full running - full forwards. I'd like to see him in the Ruck (better choice than who Southport have now), which is where he played most of his juniour footy for Tweed Heads apparently. He's being wasted in the backline!!! Needs development so I suggest he'll go as a Rookie. The Southport side boasts many good players from the Qld U/18 team with the likes of Keil (outstanding post carnival form), Kannis (great hands, can take a mark and a good kick), White (big strong ruckman) and Screech (a little down on form post carnival). All except Screech have a hot chance of being drafted. Renouf's also in the team but very over rated, he can't take a mark, is too soft and needs lot's of development. He has another year and we'll see him in next year's carnival, hopefully a better, more developed player.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Thanks a lot, guys.

I can tell you he is definitely going to the draft camp.

 

[ben.carbonaro]

I read the piece on him down here in one of the newspapers leading up to the u18 championships, he looked thge goods and personally likes how he apporaches his football.

 

[Weaver]

I've seen Southport play a few times and I think Mills has a bad kicking style that needs working on. Has been dragged for not being able to keep up with the full running - full forwards.

Have to agree about his kicking, is a terrible action. Makes him rookie-list candidate as oppossed to draft.

 

[Perty4]

Means the Pies are montys to pick him up now.

 

[Think First!]

I've seen Southport play a few times and I think Mills has a bad kicking style that needs working on. Has been dragged for not being able to keep up with the full running - full forwards. I'd like to see him in the Ruck (better choice than who Southport have now), which is where he played most of his juniour footy for Tweed Heads apparently. He's being wasted in the backline!!! Needs development so I suggest he'll go as a Rookie. The Southport side boasts many good players from the Qld U/18 team with the likes of Keil (outstanding post carnival form), Kannis (great hands, can take a mark and a good kick), White (big strong ruckman) and Screech (a little down on form post carnival). All except Screech have a hot chance of being drafted. Renouf's also in the team but very over rated, he can't take a mark, is too soft and needs lot's of development. He has another year and we'll see him in next year's carnival, hopefully a better, more developed player.

who ever wrote this needs to get their facts right!! wayde mills is one of the quickest blokes going around for his size! he can easily match speed with any of the full forwards in the aflq competition not to mention endurance. in this post not once has his endurance been mentioned? mills comfortably runs 3km in 10 minutes and has a pb of 9minutes 42seconds. one other thing not mentioned is his courage, if anyone had watched a few of his games closely these things wouldn't have gone unnoticed. also completed a full pre-season with the lions. predictions top 40. kiel top 20. Kannis if not drafted brisbane rookie.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

who ever wrote this needs to get their facts right!! wayde mills is one of the quickest blokes going around for his size! he can easily match speed with any of the full forwards in the aflq competition not to mention endurance. in this post not once has his endurance been mentioned? mills comfortably runs 3km in 10 minutes and has a pb of 9minutes 42seconds. one other thing not mentioned is his courage, if anyone had watched a few of his games closely these things wouldn't have gone unnoticed. also completed a full pre-season with the lions. predictions top 40. kiel top 20. Kannis if not drafted brisbane rookie.

Thanks mate.
I did up an article on Mills for the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper last Friday. Nice kid, very down to earth, and commited.

His endurance does look up to scratch. Needs to work on his kicking. I've noticed when he marks it, he tends to do the old ruckman thing of handballing it off often. May have a lack of confidence in his kicking?

I was at the Sharks game on Sunday against Broadbeach, and you mentioned that you think Kiel may go top 20. I tell you what, he caught my eye. He has a lot of pace and flair about him. Bit of a query over his size though, don't you think?

Looks very light, would need to bulk up, but looks a prospect.

I'll throw another Sharks name up...Sam Gilbert (I think that's it) No.2 for the Sharks and plays as another tall defender next to Mills. Didn't look too bad.

 

[Killer_Lions]

who ever wrote this needs to get their facts right!! wayde mills is one of the quickest blokes going around for his size! he can easily match speed with any of the full forwards in the aflq competition not to mention endurance. in this post not once has his endurance been mentioned? mills comfortably runs 3km in 10 minutes and has a pb of 9minutes 42seconds. one other thing not mentioned is his courage, if anyone had watched a few of his games closely these things wouldn't have gone unnoticed. also completed a full pre-season with the lions. predictions top 40. kiel top 20. Kannis if not drafted brisbane rookie.

I wrote that. I've seen quite a few Southport games this year. The reason I mentioned him not being able to keep up with full running full forwards wasn't because of his endurance; playing at full forward against Southport, 34 year old Dickfos from Northern Eagles kept leading and kicking goals to the extent that Mills couldn't stay in front of him and got dragged. This has happened against most of the key full forwards he's played against in the competition. I am not doubting all the stuff about Mills's endurance and stamina etc. but I do strongly believe that this kid is being wasted at Fullback or in the backline. I'd love to see him play in the Ruck! I don't know why Norm Dare continues to use Renouf anyway. I agree with Keil and agree with Kannis. I noticed in the Carnival Programme that Kannis was born December 15th, so I would think that he still has growing and development left in him. Pieman suggested Gilbert. Yes!! he really does look the goods!! White is a big strong kid too but I didn't see him play last Saturday. Must be injured. Tippet from the Reserves team is apparently hot at the moment in the Ruck, playing in the Reserves team. If he nominates for the Draft, he'd have a great chance too.

 

[Think First!]

I wrote that. I've seen quite a few Southport games this year. The reason I mentioned him not being able to keep up with full running full forwards wasn't because of his endurance; playing at full forward against Southport, 34 year old Dickfos from Northern Eagles kept leading and kicking goals to the extent that Mills couldn't stay in front of him and got dragged. This has happened against most of the key full forwards he's played against in the competition. I am not doubting all the stuff about Mills's endurance and stamina etc. but I do strongly believe that this kid is being wasted at Fullback or in the backline. I'd love to see him play in the Ruck! I don't know why Norm Dare continues to use Renouf anyway. I agree with Keil and agree with Kannis. I noticed in the Carnival Programme that Kannis was born December 15th, so I would think that he still has growing and development left in him. Pieman suggested Gilbert. Yes!! he really does look the goods!! White is a big strong kid too but I didn't see him play last Saturday. Must be injured. Tippet from the Reserves team is apparently hot at the moment in the Ruck, playing in the Reserves team. If he nominates for the Draft, he'd have a great chance too.

rather than playin in the backline mills should be moved to a half forward position, thats my personal opinion as he has a good mark and loves to handball off to running players. now gettin on to Kurt Tippett, this is his first year of AFL an he is absolutely killing it. Brent Renouf OVERATED. Kurt Tippett everytime puts the ball where his midfield want it and shows courage over the footy when its his turn. personally i think someone should be lookin at him for a rookie list due to him needing to hone his skills. but he will be a good player in the future.

sam gilbert, comes from a rugby background and can tackle burst the lines, has a pumping kick and has an outstanding leap and mark. I'll find out why he didn't play last week but he had a solid game against broadbeach. if u want to know anything else Killer_Lions i'll be more than happy to chat with you.

the delivery when mills was playin on dickfos was unpredictable, i saw him gettin in front but that wasn't always the spot to be!! i.d love to him upo the ground a bit more and so would he i know it for a fact!!

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

rather than playin in the backline mills should be moved to a half forward position, thats my personal opinion as he has a good mark and loves to handball off to running players. now gettin on to Kurt Tippett, this is his first year of AFL an he is absolutely killing it. Brent Renouf OVERATED. Kurt Tippett everytime puts the ball where his midfield want it and shows courage over the footy when its his turn. personally i think someone should be lookin at him for a rookie list due to him needing to hone his skills. but he will be a good player in the future.

sam gilbert, comes from a rugby background and can tackle burst the lines, has a pumping kick and has an outstanding leap and mark. I'll find out why he didn't play last week but he had a solid game against broadbeach. if u want to know anything else Killer_Lions i'll be more than happy to chat with you.

the delivery when mills was playin on dickfos was unpredictable, i saw him gettin in front but that wasn't always the spot to be!! i.d love to him upo the ground a bit more and so would he i know it for a fact!!

Good work mate.
How do you know all this? Are you a watcher, a player, or involved with the Sharks etc?

Also, what's your opinion on Hadyn Kiel? Looks a prospect to me.

Cheers...

 

[Think First!]

Good work mate.
How do you know all this? Are you a watcher, a player, or involved with the Sharks etc?

Also, what's your opinion on Hadyn Kiel? Looks a prospect to me.

Cheers...

ummm lets just say i know them pretty well, as well as many other queensland boys. HOT TIP next year Gav Urquhart, Dave Armitage, Albert Proud and Ricki Peddard will go top 20. Haydn Kiel really talented, definately drafted this year i know he's been aproached by a number of clubs and is playin outstanding footy at the moment, he is small but he has a vertical leap to write home about, he is also amazingly quick over 5 metres and has good balance. if he were to attend gym sessions more often he would increase his chances of going higher this year!!!Regardless he's going anyway!!

p.s i read your article, not bad

 

[Killer_Lions]

ummm lets just say i know them pretty well, as well as many other queensland boys. HOT TIP next year Gav Urquhart, Dave Armitage, Albert Proud and Ricki Peddard will go top 20. Haydn Kiel really talented, definately drafted this year i know he's been aproached by a number of clubs and is playin outstanding footy at the moment, he is small but he has a vertical leap to write home about, he is also amazingly quick over 5 metres and has good balance. if he were to attend gym sessions more often he would increase his chances of going higher this year!!!Regardless he's going anyway!!

p.s i read your article, not bad

When did that article on Mills come out guys??? Anyone know when the Draft and screening names be made available? And what about the ALlies game? When's that team annnounced?? and Nick, do you know Sheehan or something? You said you spoke to him last week?? How do you know Mills is on the list "for sure"? Do you know of any others? Big game this week up here Morningside versus Northern Eagles. They'll play themselves two weeks in a row while the Sharks sit back hoping they bash the crap out of each other and pray for injuries. Because Eagles v Morningside this week has no bearing on the top 3, I wouldn't be surprised if coaches rest players for the semi the following week!

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

When did that article on Mills come out guys??? Anyone know when the Draft and screening names be made available? And what about the ALlies game? When's that team annnounced?? and Nick, do you know Sheehan or something? You said you spoke to him last week?? How do you know Mills is on the list "for sure"? Do you know of any others? Big game this week up here Morningside versus Northern Eagles. They'll play themselves two weeks in a row while the Sharks sit back hoping they bash the crap out of each other and pray for injuries. Because Eagles v Morningside this week has no bearing on the top 3, I wouldn't be surprised if coaches rest players for the semi the following week!

Check your PM's.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

ummm lets just say i know them pretty well, as well as many other queensland boys. HOT TIP next year Gav Urquhart, Dave Armitage, Albert Proud and Ricki Peddard will go top 20. Haydn Kiel really talented, definately drafted this year i know he's been aproached by a number of clubs and is playin outstanding footy at the moment, he is small but he has a vertical leap to write home about, he is also amazingly quick over 5 metres and has good balance. if he were to attend gym sessions more often he would increase his chances of going higher this year!!!Regardless he's going anyway!!

p.s i read your article, not bad

Cheers mate

I'm keen to know who the hell you are!

Yeah, i do think Hadyn deserves a write-up soon.