Miller coup a major boost for Bonogin
GUN CRICKETER JOINS RIVALS
BONOGIN Valley have struck another major blow in their quest for Cricket Gold Coast success with the signing of Burleigh captain TJ Miller.
Two weeks after securing Helensvale Pacific Pines allrounder Dylan Sherriff as player-coach for the next two seasons, Bonogin have added Miller to their fast-bowling ranks while he will also serve as Sherriff’s assistant.
A key figure in the Bullsharks’ maiden Kookaburra Cup premiership in 2017-18, the 27-year-old collected 31 first-grade wickets at 15.06 last season, including 5-37 in his side’s semi-final loss to Broadbeach Robina.
He and Sherriff will be joined in Bonogin’s inaugural third-grade outfit by Gold Coast Dolphins fast bowler Matt Phillips. Miller’s younger brother, Daley, is also believed to be weighing up a move to Davenport Park.
After 10 years at Burleigh, Miller said he simply needed “something fresh and exciting”.
“I thought it was time for a totally different challenge. At Burleigh I’ve done everything I can in terms of my capabilities,” the father of two said.
“I had a few meetings with different clubs and they were all great offers. If it was about money I’d be at a different club.
“I went to the (Bonogin) meeting with Dylan Sherriff and Jake Savage (president) with the intention of saying ‘thanks for thinking about me but no thanks’. I didn’t want to go back (to third grade) ... but they just blew me away.
“The meeting was meant to go for half an hour and I ended up being there for two hours. There’s a three-year plan to be in the first-grade competition anyway so that puts me back in first grade at 30.
“I want to get into the coaching and these guys offered the assistant coaching role. It was more just the excitement of starting a new opportunity and Bonogin suits my lifestyle with the kids.”
The addition of Miller, Sherriff, Phillips and potentially others has given berth to the possibility of Bonogin taking the leap to second grade next season, but a decision will not be made until the campaign draws closer.