Finally we agree on something Ben Miller.
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Player Watch #46: Ben Miller - Re-Signed Until 2026
- Thread starter Bojangles17
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He better embrace his current role because we have great key back depth in Balta, Young, Gibcus and Broad.
I actually think he is going okay at CHF. For me our biggest problem for years has been the contest up the line ball. Jack is too old, Lynch best footy is inside the 60m arc, we have tried our rucks, Chol, Griffiths, CCJ and a few others and all are deficient in one way or another. Miller has the athleticism and size to get to contests and impact them. He has been poor at this overall, but the last 5-6 weeks or so that has improved. Thought he really fought for position on the weekend quite well. Even if he halves them and brings the ball to ground that is a win because ground balls at wing/half forward is our no.1 strength.
It is only a matter of time before he gets a few easy grabs and his marking confidence starts to improve. I said at the start of the season that Miller will be one of the most important players at Richmond if he can hold down the CHF position, mainly because we have been awful there for years. He is improving each week, slower than we would all like, but you can see the talent is there when he gets the ball, just needs to get it more often.
Has started bodying his opponent more the last few weeks, looked like a real forward. Too often he just kind of stands next to them and gets bumped off the line of the ball. Needs a testosterone injection pregame or some bull semen or something.
- Apr 27, 2014
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I think Gibcus could easily have a better chance making it as a forward. Benjamin to me is the type that likes to do contested work and spoiling and marking isn’t his strength. I’m not sure if this is bc hoe he’s instructed to play or bc he was a defender for a couple of years. He’s definitely getting better as a forward and with his agility and speed he’d be an awesome forward, but he just looks a bit immature at it.
Slow burn, and yes I reckon Gibcus woud be a great half forward until he got strong enough, even a run on the wing (but for his dodgy hammy). Kid could play anywhere, but is still a year away from too much responsibility after missing this season.
He might be the most underwhelming player in the league. He adds NOTHING other than being tall and fairly athletic. Get rid of him FFS.
sante
Emu
Miller is only being developed into a forward because we haven’t recruited any for ages. He’s a key defender and was showing plenty as one before we recruited Tarrant.
He has also been showing a bit as a tall forward/ruck. Worth some perseverance.
Don't know what it is, I like Miller and can see the upside. He's quick, good hands in traffic and not too bad a field kick for a big bloke.
But, like many have pointed out before, just seems to lack the physicality needed to be a KPF. Last few weeks he had a couple of good contested marks inside 50 but hasn't ever dominated. Hard to say whether it's him or the delivery to him though. Needs to come out and kick a bag, get some confidence.
Looked okay yesterday but then got subbed.
Really hoping he makes it, but our history of forwards after Jack in the last decade are not looking promising. Vickery, Griffiths, Mcbean, Elton, Moore, McKenzie (did he even play VFL?), Chol...
But, like many have pointed out before, just seems to lack the physicality needed to be a KPF. Last few weeks he had a couple of good contested marks inside 50 but hasn't ever dominated. Hard to say whether it's him or the delivery to him though. Needs to come out and kick a bag, get some confidence.
Looked okay yesterday but then got subbed.
Really hoping he makes it, but our history of forwards after Jack in the last decade are not looking promising. Vickery, Griffiths, Mcbean, Elton, Moore, McKenzie (did he even play VFL?), Chol...
- Apr 27, 2014
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Yesterday was a perfect opportunity to throw him down back yet they subbed him out. The whole philosophy with the MC this year is to try and create new roles for the old champs bc they can’t perform their past roles which then forces our kids to play unfamiliar roles. Then they drop the kids for not performing their new roles and keep the under performing golden oldies . It’s the wrong way to develop young footballers and it’s the Dimma pre 2017 mentality where every player must play HBF.
- Aug 13, 2017
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6 years on the list and still a nothing player
And people still looking for excuses for him
And people still looking for excuses for him
How many years were all our Premiership stars on the list before they were something players?
The thing is we don't have better options than Miller right now and he is showing some reasonable improvement. So he gets games.
Playing 1 pathetic key forward is worse than not playing a key forward at all. He adds nothing.
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So, where do people feel Miller is at now with the new trades? Is he going to just be a depth player? Is he going to see out his career as a VFL player?
What position will Yze settle him in - 2nd ruck/forward or backline?
What position will Yze settle him in - 2nd ruck/forward or backline?
Probably depends on what they do with Balta. If Balta is used as a forward/ruck then I think he goes back to being a defender.
Looks much more comfortable and is much more consistent as a key defender, at least at VFL level.
Bit harsh...would say he is a back up/stop gap player...
I think you're right. He was carving out a solid career as a backman before necessity saw him thrown into the ruck and forward. I'm not sure if he'll ever surpass some of our other backmen (Balta, Broad, Grimes or Gibcus) but with Grimes and Broad reaching the end, Gibcus an uncertainty as he recovers and Biggy now gone, there are spots to won in the D50.
He's back-up for a few positions. I think with Kosi coming in his place up forward is gone, if it wasn't already (which it was).
Kosi has also taken his spot as 2nd ruck, if Ryan is not playing every week.
He showed a bit as a key back so that will be his position, but for the fact that Young took it.
VFL player, and an important one because he can play multiple positions. You don't want your VFL team being easy beats, we have lost keys talls in Biggy and Soldo, because it hinders the development of the young players.
Kosi has also taken his spot as 2nd ruck, if Ryan is not playing every week.
He showed a bit as a key back so that will be his position, but for the fact that Young took it.
VFL player, and an important one because he can play multiple positions. You don't want your VFL team being easy beats, we have lost keys talls in Biggy and Soldo, because it hinders the development of the young players.
First delisted next year. Or maybe 2nd after Steely.
Should be KPD depth only.
It is pretty handy to have a low cost player who is only just below standard in all key positions and ruck. Collingwood seemed to use Frampton like that and he ended up playing in the Grand Final team. The other thing with Miller is he seems to improve that little bit each year as he gets stronger and more confident. If you think of how he started out, as a quite feeble back pocket at VFL level, he is unrecognisable from that player now. He is clearly quite coachable as well.
- Aug 15, 2015
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24 is his Last opportunity , if he’s any chance of getting a contract extension, he needs to find some intensity and aggression.
I’ve wanted to believe he can be a AFL player, but insipid performances, eg one handed marking performances , just gives you no confidence he’s got what it takes.
Also very poor option as a buck up ruckman, basically giving the opposition a free hit in centre bounces etc
I’ve wanted to believe he can be a AFL player, but insipid performances, eg one handed marking performances , just gives you no confidence he’s got what it takes.
Also very poor option as a buck up ruckman, basically giving the opposition a free hit in centre bounces etc
- Jan 18, 2016
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He was so disappointing last year, he had a real opportunity to nail down a KPF spot when Lynch got injured. Maybe if Gibcus is still not back by R1 he could return to the backline but I cant see him leapfrogging Grimes or even the young kids Trezise, Brown or Bauer who've already shown more.
Actually thought he wasn't to bad in the ruck, mainly because at ground level he is so quick and can add real pressure. But his palming to his mids was pretty good also. Maybe not in the centre as you say. He is such the ultimate could have been player.
He has something about him when he gets it.
