Player Watch #46: Ben Miller - Re-Signed Until 2026

[Grrr]

Was tried as a forward for the first part of the year, and ended up down back as the experiment did not pan out as hoped.

I also think he is a better back than forward right now at least, although his Brisbane game where he allowed Hipwood too often a free run at the ball suggests he has some basic work to do there as well. I was all for experimenting with him forward mainly because in 2021 our key forwards were pretty average. Lynch seemed permanently placed deep forward and Jack is better inside 50 also these days. We had no CHF.

Along comes Lynch with a perhaps a career best season and suddenly the problem was largely solved. So there was no real need for an extra tall. Then Miller comes on and looked likely as a senior footballer and more so he rests forward occasionally. He still had Balta's problem of having to get out of Lynch and Jack's way, but next season will see Jack pass the baton on to Miller (hopefully). So yes the experiment might be over for now.

 

[richoatthedisco]

Balta was playing forward/2nd ruck until half time of the R20 Brisbane game at the G. We were six goals down, our defence had been leaking all year, and Hipwood was torching Miller. Contrary to established groupthink, Balta had been playing pretty well in the role. The previous week he'd had 13 disposals, 5 marks and 3 scores against Freo, and as someone who played most of his footy at CHF, I rated it as a good CHF's game.

We switched him back and not only did our defence look more solid with him in place of the inexperienced and at times shaky Miller, but Miller surprised (some might say amazed) with how well he took to the 2nd ruck role.

With Lynch in such great form and Cumbo coming in shooting the lights out, there was less need for Balta or Miller up forward, as we saw with Miller barely playing much more than 50% TOG from then on.

 

[Morro]

I think Miller as a fwd/ruck is worth persevering with, but the wanking over his form is a bit much. He was serviceable at best. He can improve obviously and he would need to otherwise we need a far better option in that role IMO

 

[Marcel Proust]

I think Miller as a fwd/ruck is worth persevering with, but the wanking over his form is a bit much. He was serviceable at best. He can improve obviously and he would need to otherwise we need a far better option in that role IMO

If Soldo is the bench mark, reckon miller was fairly handy

 

[Morro]

If Soldo is the bench mark, reckon miller was fairly handy

Soldo is a terrible benchmark, but I do agree that Miller was much better.

 

[tiger_tough]

Miller did pretty well considering he was thrown in there late in the year with no prep. Ruck work was surprisingly good and competed pretty well. Still needs to get more involved but that will come with a pre season training in that position. Was a much better 2nd ruck option than Soldo.

Reckon he'll be competing with Ryan for that spot all next season.

 

[Rayzorwire]

I like what Miller brings and have been defending him as a future player since he got dropped earlier in the season, but this 'superior 2nd ruck to Soldo' perspective some are putting forward is ridiculous, IMO.

Miller attended 24 ruck contests against Brisbane, most of them against part-timers like himself where he had every chance to impose himself on the game. He had 2 hitouts to advantage.

Give Soldo the same run of contests against the likes of McStay, Daniher and Hipwood, he'd do what he did to GWS when they had to play Flynn first ruck earlier in the year - bury our mids in first use over and over again when the game was on the line.

For all I reckon Miller has a bright future, the decision to play both he and Nank and leave Soldo out entirely cost us the game as much as any other factor. What Miller brought around the ground didn't come close to outweighing what Soldo could have given us in the ruck given Nank had a howler and everything he touched turned to mud.

 

[Dr Tigris]

I like what Miller brings and have been defending him as a future player since he got dropped earlier in the season, but this 'superior 2nd ruck to Soldo' perspective some are putting forward is ridiculous, IMO.

Miller attended 24 ruck contests against Brisbane, most of them against part-timers like himself where he had every chance to impose himself on the game. He had 2 hitouts to advantage.

Give Soldo the same run of contests against the likes of McStay, Daniher and Hipwood, he'd do what he did to GWS when they had to play Flynn first ruck earlier in the year - bury our mids in first use over and over again when the game was on the line.

For all I reckon Miller has a bright future, the decision to play both he and Nank and leave Soldo out entirely cost us the game as much as any other factor. What Miller brought around the ground didn't come close to outweighing what Soldo could have given us in the ruck given Nank had a howler and everything he touched turned to mud.

Bit strong. But Soldo is a much better ruck than Miller. Miller better around the ground.

Before Soldo was Tomahawked he was one of the best tap rucks in the AFL. He'll come back to that and ... well I reckon he'll have good AFL career in his future.

 

[Morro]

Bit strong. But Soldo is a much better ruck than Miller. Miller better around the ground.

Before Soldo was Tomahawked he was one of the best tap rucks in the AFL. He'll come back to that and ... well I reckon he'll have good AFL career in his future.

He was average at best. He wasn’t that good. I can’t believe everyone thinks he was a fun pre knee.

 

[Rayzorwire]

Bit strong. But Soldo is a much better ruck than Miller. Miller better around the ground.

Miller played only 46% game time, most of it as the chop-out ruck, so there really wasn't much 'around the ground' - may as well have played Soldo coming off the bench, IMO.

And that's not to suggest I wouldn't have made the same selection 'mistake' we did - picking the more mobile ruck with Fort out seemed 100% sound thinking.

I don't think I've been at all harsh on Miller, just relating what happened on the night. He's a big green baby with plenty of potential who I have a lot of time for.

 

[Forensi Tiger]

He was average at best. He wasn’t that good. I can’t believe everyone thinks he was a fun pre knee.

Agree. Soldo has been rucking for a few years now including VFL. Yes he got hit outs but my recollection was few went to advantage. He is incredibly slow around ground and poor skills. Miller started doing rucking at the end of this year. Can get better. Is quicker than Soldo. Better skills.can play back. Not saying he is great or will be 200 gamer but can’t see how Soldo is better option overall

 

[richoatthedisco]

I like what Miller brings and have been defending him as a future player since he got dropped earlier in the season, but this 'superior 2nd ruck to Soldo' perspective some are putting forward is ridiculous, IMO.

Miller attended 24 ruck contests against Brisbane, most of them against part-timers like himself where he had every chance to impose himself on the game. He had 2 hitouts to advantage.

Give Soldo the same run of contests against the likes of McStay, Daniher and Hipwood, he'd do what he did to GWS when they had to play Flynn first ruck earlier in the year - bury our mids in first use over and over again when the game was on the line.

For all I reckon Miller has a bright future, the decision to play both he and Nank and leave Soldo out entirely cost us the game as much as any other factor. What Miller brought around the ground didn't come close to outweighing what Soldo could have given us in the ruck given Nank had a howler and everything he touched turned to mud.

We'll never play Nank and Soldo together again. Soldo's a #1 ruck. He's first ruck or in the twos.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Miller has a tonne of weapons, we'd be mad to ever send him back to the twos again. We saw how much he improved with a little confidence, pump 50 games into him quick smart and we'll laughing.

 

[Rayzorwire]

We'll never play Nank and Soldo together again. Soldo's a #1 ruck. He's first ruck or in the twos.

I'm not so sure, I hope we'll at least try the two genuine ruck formula again next year with our shiny new midfield.

My take was that the times it looked the wrong tactical set up this year, was more down to our lack of senior run and clearance capacity than the set up itself. Considering key seniors like Dusty, Meatball, Lambo, Cotch, Pickett, KMac etc. were all missing games at times this year and being replaced by multiple <30 game kids, IMO two rucks was seen as a luxury we couldn't afford much this season, but next year may be different.

FWIW, of the four remaining finals teams, we played three with Soldo in the side; the Pies win, the Geelong rip-off loss in rd.15, and the Freo draw - it's not bad form in hindsight.

 

[Calcium Man]

I'm not so sure, I hope we'll at least try the two genuine ruck formula again next year with our shiny new midfield.

My take was that the times it looked the wrong tactical set up this year, was more down to our lack of senior run and clearance capacity than the set up itself. Considering key seniors like Dusty, Meatball, Lambo, Cotch, Pickett, KMac etc. were all missing games at times this year and being replaced by multiple <30 game kids, IMO two rucks was seen as a luxury we couldn't afford much this season, but next year may be different.

FWIW, of the four remaining finals teams, we played three with Soldo in the side; the Pies win, the Geelong rip-off loss in rd.15, and the Freo draw - it's not bad form in hindsight.

Freo are not one of the four remaining finals team But I’ll assume you mean the Sydney game.

 

[Rayzorwire]

Freo are not one of the four remaining finals team But I’ll assume you mean the Sydney game.

LOL...whoops, was a pretty big weekend! I didn't even actually see any of the games, which is a first for decades.

Just had another glance back and happened to notice that our record against Brisbane with Soldo in is 4 wins, zero losses, but no games this year.

 

[Mr Magic]

Miller has a tonne of weapons, we'd be mad to ever send him back to the twos again. We saw how much he improved with a little confidence, pump 50 games into him quick smart and we'll laughing.

Exactly, I think he will grow from just more game time. I don't think he is really a back in the sense he has more scope elsewhere. Should just see how he develops further

 

[Marcel Proust]

He was average at best. He wasn’t that good. I can’t believe everyone thinks he was a fun pre knee.

Someone said soldo was keeping nankervis out of the side at one stage. I looked it up and it seemed to be correct iirc..

 

[richoatthedisco]

I'm not so sure, I hope we'll at least try the two genuine ruck formula again next year with our shiny new midfield.

My take was that the times it looked the wrong tactical set up this year, was more down to our lack of senior run and clearance capacity than the set up itself. Considering key seniors like Dusty, Meatball, Lambo, Cotch, Pickett, KMac etc. were all missing games at times this year and being replaced by multiple <30 game kids, IMO two rucks was seen as a luxury we couldn't afford much this season, but next year may be different.

FWIW, of the four remaining finals teams, we played three with Soldo in the side; the Pies win, the Geelong rip-off loss in rd.15, and the Freo draw - it's not bad form in hindsight.

They both played when we were overrun by Carlton, St Kilda, Sydney, Gold Coast and miraculously held on against Freo.

I'm not anti-Soldo. But we lack run when he and Nank both play. Which one of them should play might become a question if Soldo gets back to his best next year. Nank was a liability at times this year.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Miller has to learn how to ruck...

When he was in the ruck, he was rucking like a junior (insert basketballer). Running an jumping, but jumping outside the drop of the footy, trying to avoid physical contact on most occasions and rely on his leap and athleticism to win the tap... That would've worked in the WAFL Colts program, but not against the big boys...

He has to learn to run in line with the drop of the footy, get his leading knee up for leverage and to protect himself, and to use physical contact as a way of stopping the oppo ruck getting their hand on it.

Easier said then done, but it he can make the change (and a big % is mental) then he can be a damaging 2nd ruck with his versatility around the ground

 

[Rayzorwire]

They both played when we were overrun by Carlton, St Kilda, Sydney, Gold Coast and miraculously held on against Freo.

I'm not anti-Soldo. But we lack run when he and Nank both play. Which one of them should play might become a question if Soldo gets back to his best next year. Nank was a liability at times this year.

No doubt we were too top heavy at times this year, but as I said, I reckon it was down to being forced to play too many kids.

I'm open to Soldo playing ahead of Nank, but with the latter being captain, surely he never plays VFL?

If it's our plan to play Miller ~50% game time or even less like we did at the GABBA, is he even away from the ruck enough for his superior mobility to counter what he loses as a ruckman compared to Soldo? Especially if we use him as a KPD away from the ruck?

 

[Grrr]

Miller has to learn how to ruck...

When he was in the ruck, he was rucking like a junior (insert basketballer). Running an jumping, but jumping outside the drop of the footy, trying to avoid physical contact on most occasions and rely on his leap and athleticism to win the tap... That would've worked in the WAFL Colts program, but not against the big boys...

He has to learn to run in line with the drop of the footy, get his leading knee up for leverage and to protect himself, and to use physical contact as a way of stopping the oppo ruck getting their hand on it.

Easier said then done, but it he can make the change (and a big % is mental) then he can be a damaging 2nd ruck with his versatility around the ground

True, but he has not rucked in the VFL either, so pretty much first time since drafted. He will train all preseason as a ruck this year, so that should make a heap of difference. Miller lacks all round confidence.

Has all the skills and even has a fair bit of time with the ball which not many big players have. He just needs to insert himself into the game more, playing the last 1/3 of the year going into the next with the belief that it is his spot to lose rather than having to find a spot should give him great confidence that he belongs at this level. Could be a serious player with a good injection of self belief.

 

[tony__montana]

Would like to see more of him fwd, the little time he spent down there he showed some promising signs. In a perfect world, you have 2 talls and a fwd/ruck as the third tall. I understood Soldo playing 50% tog bc hes pretty much useless as a fwd, but thought/felt we under utilised Miller up forward

 

[Marcel Proust]

Soldo is a terrible benchmark, but I do agree that Miller was much better.

Love Soldo but he's the oldest player now outside aarts, not in the best team.

Maybe it's time to move him on if there is value

Next in line rcd and miller who is you could argue is more in than out currently

 

[juss]

He will surely get a decent block of games now, playing as a ruck/KPF you would imagine in rotation with Ryan.

Although he lacks a bit of height, I think he could be a really dangerous ruck around the ground with his mobility, and rack up a bit of ball similar to a Tim English type. He's not going to dominate the hitouts, but we only need him to not get completely dominated and just have the contests and back the midfield to win the ball.

He could also contribute in defence, but it looks more obvious for him to play KPF with Lynch out for a while when he's not in the ruck.