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

[59Stanley]

He has kicked some big goals in the reserves too with the winner against Essendon.
He needs to channel some Nank at the contest and then we have a player.
Been playing out of position because of Ryan but he has a place on our list for sure

 

[Meteoric Rise]

He has kicked some big goals in the reserves too with the winner against Essendon.
He needs to channel some Nank at the contest and then we have a player.
Been playing out of position because of Ryan but he has a place on our list for sure

Miller's physical intent in contests have improved out of all recognition since he arrived at the club. I doubt he is ever going to be a beast like Nankervis, he just needs to hold his own in that area because he brings some other very useful things to the table, speed, skill, to name two.

 

[tropicaltiger]

Miller's physical intent in contests have improved out of all recognition since he arrived at the club. I doubt he is ever going to be a beast like Nankervis, he just needs to hold his own in that area because he brings some other very useful things to the table, speed, skill, to name two.

YES I Don't really want to throw anyone under a bus but even tho his last 2 games have been good jack graham still lacks that speed in mowing down oppo or bursting away and 4 or 5 times graham got involved with grabbing the dirty ball but he really was slow releasing it and coughed it up....big boy miller covers the ground nicely out wide and thru heavy traffic and his quick dish offs were slick and impressive, being able to hoof a ball 55m+ also a massive bonus.

 

[lllscroatlll]

if his aggression keeps up, with his speed and cleanliness in close, i can totally see ben miller as the ultimate ruck rover crazy i know

 

[TigerImposter]

if his aggression keeps up, with his speed and cleanliness in close, i can totally see ben miller as the ultimate ruck rover crazy i know

He can play anywhere mate and I’ve been saying it all year.

 

[Vassp]

he has fortitude, kicks goals when he has to, and does great things, he has shown better ball use than mr T.

 

[Hoos]

Generally doesn't panic and uses it well. He's only going to get better the more he plays and his confidence grows. CHF may just be his spot when Jack goes.

 

[SleepingGiant]

When Lynch is ready he will force Ryan out of the side. We are much more dangerous with him and his leg speed/versatility as a big man. Can’t have both Lynch and Ryan in the side with Nankervis. Those three bigs are too slow. Miller’s greatest strength is his pace, disposal, and ability to get to the contest combined with versatility. These attributes (pace, versatility) are two that none of our key forwards or rucks have.

 

[Grrr]

Generally doesn't panic and uses it well. He's only going to get better the more he plays and his confidence grows. CHF may just be his spot when Jack goes.

Jack is no longer a CHF and hasn't been for a while now. The old legs are too slow, not that he was ever quick, and he has pretty much lost his jump. 3rd tall now so he can go where he pleases.

Miller has the legs and strength to get up the ground like a proper CHF... One caveat, two weeks ago Miller was running round the VFL after being dropped again (I thought he was a bit unlucky), but he was hardly setting the world on fire. 2 weeks later he is the answer to playing the most difficult position on the ground. I'm tempering my expectations somewhat although I've been call for Miller to play CHF for about 3 years now, two weeks ago I threw in the towel.

A week is a long time in football after all.

 

[TigerImposter]

Jack is no longer a CHF and hasn't been for a while now. The old legs are too slow, not that he was ever quick, and he has pretty much lost his jump. 3rd tall now so he can go where he pleases.

Miller has the legs and strength to get up the ground like a proper CHF... One caveat, two weeks ago Miller was running round the VFL after being dropped again (I thought he was a bit unlucky), but he was hardly setting the world on fire. 2 weeks later he is the answer to playing the most difficult position on the ground. I'm tempering my expectations somewhat although I've been call for Miller to play CHF for about 3 years now, two weeks ago I threw in the towel.

A week is a long time in football after all.

The match before the Port game he played well at CHF and Jack and him combined well and he was then dropped for the Port game much to my disbelief. We really missed his presence against Port as Jack got double manned and beaten badly. Had Miller played I reckon Minibus would have 100% winning record.

 

[Grrr]

The match before the Port game he played well at CHF and Jack and him combined well and he was then dropped for the Port game much to my disbelief. We really missed his presence against Port as Jack got double manned and beaten badly. Had Miller played I reckon Minibus would have 100% winning record.

Agree, was a strange decision, did a lot of one handed marking attempts but at least he went at the ball and used it very well when he had it. Probably the best thing for him in the end getting dropped because it allowed him to go back the the VFL in some decent form where he did very well. So came back in with a bit of steam under his belt. It has always been between his rather ample ears.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

I'm not holding my breath here...

As much as I would love him to continue his form, I've been here before with Ben and been let down quickly.

Him taking the steps we all think he can would be vital to solving our KPF issues. With Lynch, Ryan, Miller all playing up there, and the flexibility of either Ryan or Miller to go second ruck, And having Soldo waiting in the wings, means we may be ok next year moving forward after Jacks departure

And it's not about his ability or athleticism, it is 100% mindset from Ben, he needs to believe in himself, but I'm not sure he does, well not enough yet to do this week in week out.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

I'm not holding my breath here...

As much as I would love him to continue his form, I've been here before with Ben and been let down quickly.

Him taking the steps we all think he can would be vital to solving our KPF issues. With Lynch, Ryan, Miller all playing up there, and the flexibility of either Ryan or Miller to go second ruck, And having Soldo waiting in the wings, means we may be ok next year moving forward after Jacks departure

And it's not about his ability or athleticism, it is 100% mindset from Ben, he needs to believe in himself, but I'm not sure he does, well not enough yet to do this week in week out.

Yes I'm of the same mindset...but Kudos to B.M that was a beautiful kick for goal under pressure and in the rain!
Hope that goal is a sign of better things to come with B.M...

 

[LTT]

Generally doesn't panic and uses it well. He's only going to get better the more he plays and his confidence grows. CHF may just be his spot when Jack goes.

He is never going to be a guy who crashes packs like Jack used to do. He is more a Buddy Franklin type CHF. Before anyone starts comparing Miller to Buddy, I'm only referring to the way he plays. If Miller could be a quarter as good as Buddy I would be happy. Miller and Lynch would be a good combination.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

It took Hipwood of the Bears to finally shows some nascent signs of being a worthwhile footballer...and I reckon that is who B.M reminds me of..

 

[Coach_Required]

I just liked that he can take a mark in our forward 50

 

[Hoos]

He is never going to be a guy who crashes packs like Jack used to do. He is more a Buddy Franklin type CHF. Before anyone starts comparing Miller to Buddy, I'm only referring to the way he plays. If Miller could be a quarter as good as Buddy I would be happy. Miller and Lynch would be a good combination.

He doesn't crash packs but he has shown that he can at least compete enough to bring the ball to ground and not be outmarked. We're witnessing his improvement almost game by game as his confidence grows. Right now, we are a better team with Ben Miller in the side.

 

[robin kennedy]

Been banging on about Miller at CHF all year and gave up on him the last time he played. Something happened in the VFL last week and all of a sudden he is using his size, speed and good skill level like a CHF should.

Actually more banging on about how Jack can no longer play that role, and with Lynch missing have been waiting for a replacement. It's a small step one game, but at least it is a step in the right direction. He just has to use Mihocek as his role model, no star but does his bit each week. And a good deal more skilled than Mihocek.

Been banging on about Miller at CHF all year and gave up on him the last time he played. Something happened in the VFL last week and all of a sudden he is using his size, speed and good skill level like a CHF should.

Actually more banging on about how Jack can no longer play that role, and with Lynch missing have been waiting for a replacement. It's a small step one game, but at least it is a step in the right direction. He just has to use Mihocek as his role model, no star but does his bit each week. And a good deal more skilled than Mihocek.

I hope you are right in your judgment, Mihocek has been a very good player for Collingwood, well underated it would seem. Good junior from Tassie who was not taken at draft but played on moving to Vic. to chase the dream. Rookie draft at 24 as a backman, debut R11 -2018 kicking 4 goals. Has since been the clubs leading goalkicker from 2019 to 2022 and can be used down back also. 102 games, 165 goals.
Collingwoods "Best Finals Player Award" in 2020.
Made a pretty good fist of it I reckon.
I hope your your right that Miller is a good deal more skilled.
I would be very happy with the above as a return.

 

[Karp3_dm]

Anyone see him on the Sunday Footy Show?

**** he was boring, no wonder it looks like he lacks motivation at times.

Needs a line of shorty’s speed

 

[TigFan1966]

Miller is improving game by game, keep playing him, he seems to have some good moves, and a footy brain, unlike some who just want to stand there and hold their hands up trying to take a mark in a pack, I say give him time and we may be rewarded.

 

[lizard man]

Anyone see him on the Sunday Footy Show?

* he was boring, no wonder it looks like he lacks motivation at times.

Needs a line of shorty’s speed

I agree, I think we need to force him to wear an ear piece that has a constant recording of someone like mcqualter yelling shit at him to keep him motivated during the game

 

[_RT_]

Last week was Millers 20th career game and it's like the penny may have finally dropped that he belongs at the level. Kicked big goals at the end of the first & second quarters, could have kicked a 3rd in the third quarter as well. Had an impact across all 4 quarters as well. For all the talk about us not having any young KPF talent, I'm not sure the cupboard is as bare as people like to make out.

 

[tiger_tough]

Last week was Millers 20th career game and it's like the penny may have finally dropped that he belongs at the level. Kicked big goals at the end of the first & second quarters, could have kicked a 3rd in the third quarter as well. Had an impact across all 4 quarters as well. For all the talk about us not having any young KPF talent, I'm not sure the cupboard is as bare as people like to make out.

We all thought that last year. He's a tease, same as Chol was. He'll go missing in his next game or two, get dropped, play a couple of good games in the reserves, come back up, rinse and repeat until he's delisted.

 

[TigerImposter]

We all thought that last year. He's a tease, same as Chol was. He'll go missing in his next game or two, get dropped, play a couple of good games in the reserves, come back up, rinse and repeat until he's delisted.

Uncharacteristically shithouse post from you TT.

 

[Grrr]

We all thought that last year. He's a tease, same as Chol was. He'll go missing in his next game or two, get dropped, play a couple of good games in the reserves, come back up, rinse and repeat until he's delisted.

Well not really. We all hoped he would come on as a forward ruck, but in reality it was the first time he had played that role since he arrived at Richmond, and last year he was trying to fit in with Lynch and Jack, so not much opportunity there.

Lynch going down has given him real opportunity, and he has only half grabbed it as you say. Maybe we were all expecting too much. His ruck work has certainly improved. His forward craft has been much slower, but the last few games, and his last few in the VFL have shown that the penny is starting to drop.

He may well go as you say, missing like Chol did, but he might also be starting to understand how to play forward (in one of the most difficult positions on the ground CHF), but more importantly he might be starting to feel confident in that role.