SUNS ON THE MOVE?

STAR’S SUPPORT FOR BOLD PLAN

SUNS midfielder Touk Miller has thrown his support behind the idea of AFL “quarantine hubs”, designed to allow teams to recommence playing in a controlled environment.

The AFL has reportedly floated the idea of relocating clusters of teams to states least affected by coronavirus to ensure the season goes ahead.

Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia are reportedly the three most likely states who could host six teams each.

The 24-year-old said he would have no problem temporarily uprooting his life if it meant the Suns could return to playing football.

“I’m all for it,” Miller said. “Everyone has to accept there’s going to be change in the format of the game in the near future but as long as we’re out there playing, that’s the main thing. I really hope that we can get the whole 144 games out and then finals.

“How that’s done doesn’t really concern me and I can speak on behalf of the playing group as well, everyone wants to be playing football.

“We want a result in 2020.” Miller said he was also intrigued to see how teams would respond on the back of the mandatory training shutdown. As it stands, players are only allowed to train in groups of two but the clubs will be given a few weeks to train as a collective squad once a return to play date is set.

“It could make or break teams,” Miller said.

“Once you get back playing football, it’s going to be who gels the quickest and adapts.

“Maybe we will see that you don’t need a full five-month pre-season to perform at game intensity or it could go the other way.”

As vice-captain, Miller has been responsible for keeping tabs on around eight of his teammates but the biggest challenge remains keeping the playing group engaged despite the lack of face-to-face contact. “I was talking to a few of the boys today and the hardest thing for me and for them is that there’s no end date,” Miller said.