AFLW: Fremantle captain Hayley Miller gets a glimpse of future after week with men’s football department
Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
Sat, 4 June 2022 12:00PM
Eliza Reilly
![Hayley Miller with [PLAYERCARD]Travis Colyer[/PLAYERCARD].](/forum/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.thewest.com.au%2Fpublication%2FC-7037792%2Fb8cb84dcd0b9268f22d3ec7c4eb8b8044f153a6f-16x9-x754y190w1871h1053.jpg%3Fimwidth%3D810%26impolicy%3Dwan_v3&hash=1699b692875784728d221cbe400f8338 "Hayley Miller with [PLAYERCARD]Travis Colyer[/PLAYERCARD].")
Hayley Miller with Travis Colyer. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Fremantle captain Hayley Miller has been offered a rare glimpse at what the future of AFLW holds after spending a week with the Dockers’ men’s football department.
Spending time in player reviews, coach meetings, opposition analysis and even joining Fremantle’s main training session on Thursday, Miller has experienced everything life as a professional footballer has to offer.
Miller was invited to spend a week behind closed doors by Fremantle football manager Peter Bell.
And the experience couldn’t have come at a better time.
Miller preparing to train with the Dockers on Thursday. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Last month, the AFL Players Association negotiated a 94 per cent pay rise for AFLW players across the league, a big stepping stone towards their aim of turning the league professional by 2026.
Miller is also set to spend Sunday’s top-four clash with Brisbane in Fremantle’s coaches’ box alongside senior coach Justin Longmuir and his assistants.
The 26-year-old said the experience has been an eye-opener considering the majority of her teammates work other jobs to support their pursuit of AFLW.
“It’s a window into the future,” Miller said.
“Nothing has overly surprised me. It’s similar to what we do in the W space, just on a much bigger scale with a lot more time.
‘The big point of difference is probably individual meetings with players and reviews post-game. There’s so much more time and scope for that kind of thing.
“It’s not a surprise but the men’s program, their game plan and their preparation for specific teams is above and beyond.
“For me as a player, I don’t often see the coaching side of it and how much work goes into it in terms of opposition analysis. It’s a real eye-opener to see how much work goes in behind the scenes.
“Having all the time they do at the moment…a whole week and all day every day to prepare. It’s pretty incredible what they can do and what they can fit it.”
Miller’s week culminated in taking part in Fremantle’s main training session on Thursday.
Miller jogs it out. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
An All-Australian and club fairest and best for the Dockers last season, the training track should’ve marked the most comfortable part of her experience.
But Miller admitted she had to overcome some nerves to train alongside Fremantle’s stars.
“I was pretty nervous if I’m honest,” she said.
“More so I didn’t want to stuff up their training with poor skills or anything like that. It didn’t help that it was raining as well. But the boys were great. They’re really supportive and accommodating.
“I also got to spend a bit of time with their midfield group talking through some things with Caleb Serong and the coaches. The core of it is all pretty similar it’s just adding those layers of complexities.”
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Miller hopes her experience could pave the way for further integration of the club’s men’s and women’s programs with the next AFLW season set to begin in late August.
“We’ve discussed it as a club, down the track when COVID is less of any issue, we can try and integrate both programs,” Miller said.
“Little bits here and there will really lift the skill level and I think it will take girls five steps forward.
“When you’re training with elite athletes, you concentrate that little bit harder and try that little bit harder so you keep up.
“If we can take it up a notch, it will leave us in good stead.”
