MULLER MAGIC
THE chance to shape the city’s Generation Next at a key stage in their development will drive former Test quick Scott Muller in his new role as the Gold Coast Dolphins’ Lord’s Taverners coach.
Twenty years on from his two-Test cameo against Pakistan, Muller has taken on his biggest coaching assignment as the replacement for premiership-winning Taverners mentor Chris Swan.
The 47-year-old has previously served in assistant and part-time roles at the Dolphins and Cricket Gold Coast club Surfers Paradise, while he also took the reins of the Gold Coast under-12 representative side last season.
But with Swan taking over as the Dolphins head coach, Muller said he was ready to share his knowledge with the club’s top under-16s.
“The time is probably more right now than it ever has been and this age group particularly is appealing,” said Muller, whose 30-game first-class cricket career yielded 102 wickets at 23.5.
“It is an important season in their progress so it’s a good fit.
“The 15, 16-year-old kids is a good age – they’ve played enough cricket to know their game – so hopefully over that three-month period (during the season) I can help with their technical stuff and also game management.
“I had a brief experience last year with the under-12 rep side so there’s some experience there on a short scale.
“I’ve been out of the game for quite a while but I think the club’s in a fantastic place physically as a club but also with the talent that’s coming through.
“The club’s been very good to me for a long time so I think it’s a good time to put my hand up and get more involved.”
A Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Robina junior, Muller has kept a close eye on the Dolphins’ fortunes since retiring from the game in 2000.
Their triumph in last season’s Taverners final, he said, was a positive sign for the future.
“There’s always been an interest in how they’re going,” said Muller, whose son and daughter will continue playing junior cricket at Surfers Paradise next season.
“Last year they won the premiership in the 16s so I think that’s a reflection of the talent on the Coast. There’s a lot of kids playing club cricket from Beenleigh to Tweed.
“Swanny’s obviously accepted the big job and he brings a lot of experience so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The Dolphins will hold Taverners trials in August before the season starts in September.