Recruit still happy to go extra Miles
He bounced from the powerful GWS system to a Tigers squad who went on to claim 2017 premiership glory. Now Suns signing Anthony Miles says he has finally found his home on the Gold Coast, as TOM BOSWELL discovers.
“WE’RE here to win premierships.”
Those are the words of Gold Coast Suns recruit Anthony Miles who has tasted what it’s like to win a flag at Richmond and is now determined to put his new club on the path to the same success.
There is no five-year plan for Miles or any type of measure on a number of games won in 2019.
Yet he refuses to take a backward step when it comes to his ambitions for a club many have already written off.
“The JLT Series, and even the practice match against Brisbane, if there was anything to go by there we are going to give sides a bit of a headache,” Miles said.
“If we bring what we do well, that’s the pressure and doing the basics well, win our contests, there is no limit on where we can get to this year.
“We have a lot of young guys and it’s about trying to fast-track them to be contending for premierships.
“We make no qualms about that. We are here to win premierships and the quicker we can get there and be competing for those, the better for us as a club.
“The promise and signs this club is showing. you are going to want to be around in a few years because things are moving pretty quickly.”
LIFE AT NEW CLUB
Miles is poised to make his debut at his third club and state in what will be his eighth year in the AFL when Gold Coast play St Kilda in Melbourne in Round 1 on Sunday week.
His greatest challenges and setbacks have also made him into the resilient player that the Suns had no doubt would benefit their list.
Starting at fellow expansion club GWS when they were overflowing with talent, Miles had to reinvent himself in order to succeed at Richmond.
“I had to make a real shift in the way I played,” Miles said.
“If I was going to lack a little bit of speed around the contest than I had to bring the hard edge.”
Miles became a contested ball beast but two Brownlow Medallists and the arrival of former Suns Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia forced him out of the team that would win the premiership in 2017.
In a twist of fate, Miles has now replaced the former Suns defectors in Queensland where he looks to have locked down a spot in the best 22.
Gold Coast needed mature bodies in the midfield to surround their young developing talents and Miles’ ability to win the ball will take the pressure off centre square bull David Swallow.
Miles spent five years training and playing alongside Brownlow Medallists Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin, experienced campaigners who know how to dominate in the biggest games.
Now he will do more than just play his role, with Miles set to help guide and lead players in the earliest stages of their careers.
FACING OLD MATES
Miles could play his former teammates for the first time in Round 16 at Metricon Stadium and says while there is part of him that wants to prove himself, his mind is out of Melbourne and on the Gold Coast.
“I’m still really good mates with a lot of those guys. I like to think I left on great terms at Richmond and I can’t wait to play against them,” Miles said.
“I’m so wrapped to be up here. It’s been awesome for me and my career. My focus is solely on the Gold Coast Suns now rather than anything to do with Richmond.”
Miles also said Gold Coast’s midfield were underrated around the country, labelling Swallow one of the best he has played alongside.
“I love playing with David Swallow with the way he cracks in and goes about his business,” Miles said.
“He is a guy you would love to go to war with every week because you know exactly what you’re going to get.
“The midfield depth at this club probably goes unnoticed. Wittsy is honest and I’m really excited about Jack Martin and the preseason he has had.
“In Victoria you don’t hear too much about guys up here. I think he can be a real star as well as (Jack) Bowesy and Brayden (Fiorini).”
PROVING A POINT
Miles said Gold Coast had exceeded any expectations he had before coming to Queensland both on the field and off it.
“Coming up here you have look at the stadium, the facilities and the Gold Coast lifestyle, I have just been blown away by that aspect,” Miles said.
“The other aspect of the playing group have been extremely tight knit and welcoming as well which has made my transition really easy. I have loved it since I have arrived at the club.
“The club is extremely well run. It’s one of the things I didn’t know coming up here.
“Just how well the club is run from the top down and then the coaching staff as well have been really good for me to come into an environment. The club is on the right path as a result.”
Suns football manager Jon Haines said Miles had already made a big impact on the club.
“We identified Anthony, along with a number of players, for specific reasons,” Haines said.
“Firstly it was around his personal character attributes and the role he can play to not
only support our midfield but to lead and mentor our younger players.
“When we look at all the things we hoped he would deliver, we have been very happy with everything he has done since arriving. He has certainly made a big impact on the club, playing group and enivironment.”