Old pal lands Sharks Miller
IT’S been six years since Tom Miller and Southport Sharks coach Stephen Daniel won a premiership together in country Victoria and now the two will combine again to try to win a second.
Miller has signed with the Sharks for the 2019 season, bolstering the defence of the 2018 premiers who have already added former AFL players Matt Shaw and Josh Williams to their list during the off-season.
Under Daniel, the 25year-old Miller won a Goulburn Valley Football League grand final in 2012 while playing for Tatura Football Club, who he captained for the past three seasons.
Miller said he was excited about trying to win a second flag with the respected coach.
“I have always kept in contact with Stephen and I felt like a bit of a change so I thought I’d give the NEAFL a shot,” Miller said.
“I have some mates who play their already and Jayden Young was in my premiership team back in 2012.
“He is one of my best mates and we grew up playing AusKick together.”
The 188cm defender was a Tatura junior who had the opportunity to play with Essendon’s VFL side in 2013 before deciding against moving to a higher level. “I started playing footy seriously when I was about 18 and winning that flag in 2012 was probably the highlight of my career so far,” Miller said.
“I got invited to train with Essendon’s VFL side when it first started up and did about 95 per cent of the pre-season but I lost interest in footy and didn’t enjoy it.
“I had moved to Melbourne and didn’t know anyone. It just wasn’t for me.
“I went back home to Tatura and we made finals for a couple of years before a fair exodus of players.
“We have been rebuilding and played finals last season. It’s sad to leave them but they should just about win it (next season).”
Miller will fly to the Gold Coast at the end of November before relocating fulltime after the Christmas break.