If Miller stays

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,626]

This is from the interview on melbournefc.com.au:

On Brad Miller, do you prefer him as a forward or defender?

DB: Both. He has to be able to play at both ends of the ground. It's as simple as that. Over the pre-season we'll get him up to that level where he can play back or forward. Players need to have versatility at that size these days – at 190 to 194cm. It adds another dimension to their game and I think Brad's got that.

Oh No!!! Bails is just following what he's been told by the former footy dept!

Playing him at both ends is what has spoiled Miller. He's a rare commodity. A CHF who presernts at the contest.Like Hansen,Richardson,Mooney and Hall. Not in their class? Probably not.....but they don't get sent down the backline every second game. Think about it, Dean!

[Madness 44]

Now iv'e heard everything - Somone quoting Mark Robinson as a credible opinion rather than as a cheer leader for the AFL who states the bleeding obvious.

QFT.

[NoOthaDemon 0]

The one thing that Miller does hav going for him is that he is a big body and at CHF he can crash into the bodies at the centre bounces! Thats one aspect that Russell Robertson cant provide as a CHF! Brad is fantastic leading up the ground and taking a mark, to often though he wants 2 handpass off.He needs 2 become more confident with his kicking and goal kicking. If he does this through pre-season maybe 2008 can be Millers year.

[beelzebub 22,268]

[quote name='MFC4Life'

DB:" Both. He has to be able to play at both ends of the ground. "

Oh No!!! Bails is just following what he's been told by the former footy dept!

Playing him at both ends is what has spoiled Miller. He's a rare commodity. A CHF who presernts at the contest.Like Hansen,Richardson,Mooney and Hall. Not in their class? Probably not.....but they don't get sent down the backline every second game. Think about it, Dean!

Strangely...Hansen , Richo , Mooney and Hall can all kick.. !!!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

[quote name='MFC4Life'

DB:" Both. He has to be able to play at both ends of the ground. "

Oh No!!! Bails is just following what he's been told by the former footy dept!

Playing him at both ends is what has spoiled Miller. He's a rare commodity. A CHF who presernts at the contest.Like Hansen,Richardson,Mooney and Hall. Not in their class? Probably not.....but they don't get sent down the backline every second game. Think about it, Dean!

Bollocks!.

He is not a rare commodity but a player who struggles with the requirements of AFL.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The one thing that Miller does hav going for him is that he is a big body and at CHF he can crash into the bodies at the centre bounces! Thats one aspect that Russell Robertson cant provide as a CHF! Brad is fantastic leading up the ground and taking a mark, to often though he wants 2 handpass off.He needs 2 become more confident with his kicking and goal kicking. If he does this through pre-season maybe 2008 can be Millers year.

He's tall but has the most invisible impact of any KPP I can remember.

His attacks into the bodies at the centre bounces are few and ineffectual and greatly overrated by those Miller supporters who dream of him being the footballer he aint.

[mo64 5,230]

Strangely...Hansen , Richo , Mooney and Hall can all kick.. !!!

Richo, you surely don't mean the Matthew Richardson from Richmond?

Miller hasn't got the skill or knowhow to be a CHF. I'd rather see Neitz used as the crash and bash forward, whilst Robbo plays out of the goalsquare. Bate and Dunn could be used as the leading CHF.

With Carroll being put up for trade, I get the feeling that Miller will be started at full back.

[Axis of Bob 10,295]

The MFC, for some time, has had a problem where we have been inconsistent. The basis for this is a culture of getting comfortable and not being hard enough on ourselves. Hence the wild fluctuations between seasons, games and within games themselves.

TJ has been one of the biggest culprits, in that he goes from the ridiculous to the sublime, between and within games and seasons.

Bailey has traded him out.

Bailey is clearly looking to change the culture at the MFC to a successful and hard working one. It is no coincidence that in 2000, our best year, we prided ourselves on having a 'blue collar midfield'. The basis of this new culture is a hard working and determined group of players.

Brad Miller is a hard working KPP with fantastic leadership qualities. He's someone that would really take on board and promote a new culture. TJ wouldn't care and would probably ignore it, being a bad influence on other players. Brad Miller is an example of the culture that we need at the club.

While Miller isn't Wayne Carey in playing ability, he is a servicable, hard working and selfless player. Plus he's a great size with very good running ability. I am more than happy to have him playing for the MFC.

The issue people have is that they misjudged him when he first burst onto the scene. People saw him as being a superstar CHF, when they failed to recognise him for exactly what he is: a determined, hardworking and selfless key position swing man with mediocre talent.

As for Freak, he's just starting fires because he's struggling to make a name for himself with any other posts. If you posted anything interesting or meaningful then people would notice what you say, and you wouldn't have to start attention seeking threads like this or bignote yourself at every opportunity. Poor little boy.

[Hards 2]

There are very few "swingmen" CHF/CHBs in the league. Those that can do it are usually considerably better at one and just servicable at the other. Scott Lucas would be about the only one that is very good at both that I can think of.

If he's staying, which he is, Miller has to settle either forward or back, one or the other.

Now that we know he's a part of future plans, I'd play him forward. He plays as the big CHF with either Sylvia, Bate or Dunn alongside as a tall flanker with the others playing through the middle.

Going forward assuming he continues to develop Newton plays FF. Miller stays as a tall forward. Dunn perhaps as a more perminant third tall forward. Davey roaming around and another mid-small forward and we've got a forward line. Newton's shown he'll kick goals with opportunity, Dunn can get a few, so can Davey. We all know about Miller's lack of goals, but maybe being settled and occasionally dropping a bit closer to goal might do the trick.

Getting back to "swingmen", even the great David Neitz took years to master FF after being a star CHB. The constant chopping and changing (due to our KP injuries at the time) hurt him a fair bit, but he got through it because of his naturally footballing ability. Miller doesn't have a tenth of that ability, but he's got size and from all reports he learns well from instruction - time to settle him down in one spot. We saw this year that the backline is definately not where he should be settled either. One performance a year against Barry Hall does not a FB make.

[Weedster 174]

Miller has played some good footy for the club before. If Bailey get his confidence back, then he is capable. I think he still has a lot to offer. As for Ferg, Godfrey having more to offer, I am not even going to bother

Some sense ...AT LAST !! I'm expecting a big year from the Millerman :angry:

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The MFC, for some time, has had a problem where we have been inconsistent. The basis for this is a culture of getting comfortable and not being hard enough on ourselves. Hence the wild fluctuations between seasons, games and within games themselves.

TJ has been one of the biggest culprits, in that he goes from the ridiculous to the sublime, between and within games and seasons.

Bailey has traded him out.

Bailey is clearly looking to change the culture at the MFC to a successful and hard working one. It is no coincidence that in 2000, our best year, we prided ourselves on having a 'blue collar midfield'. The basis of this new culture is a hard working and determined group of players.

Brad Miller is a hard working KPP with fantastic leadership qualities. He's someone that would really take on board and promote a new culture. TJ wouldn't care and would probably ignore it, being a bad influence on other players. Brad Miller is an example of the culture that we need at the club.

While Miller isn't Wayne Carey in playing ability, he is a servicable, hard working and selfless player. Plus he's a great size with very good running ability. I am more than happy to have him playing for the MFC.

The issue people have is that they misjudged him when he first burst onto the scene. People saw him as being a superstar CHF, when they failed to recognise him for exactly what he is: a determined, hardworking and selfless key position swing man with mediocre talent.

Bingo Bob. Great Post.

There are very few "swingmen" CHF/CHBs in the league. Those that can do it are usually considerably better at one and just servicable at the other. Scott Lucas would be about the only one that is very good at both that I can think of.

There's no problem with a swingman being more capable at one end of the ground that other. They just have to be competent at AFL level at both ends.

The following players have exhibited swingman capabilities as required......

Lucas (Esse)

Hunter (WCE)

Mooney(Geel)

Petrie (Kangas)

McPharlin (Freo)

McGregor (Crows)

C Cornes (Port)

Although used only sparingly Rivers has shown a regular capability to play forward, notwithstanding he has been required down back.

I dont think Miller is good enough to be highly proficient at AFL in either CHF or CHB position and will need to swing for the needs of the team.

[QueenC 74]

The issue people have is that they misjudged him when he first burst onto the scene. People saw him as being a superstar CHF, when they failed to recognise him for exactly what he is: a determined, hardworking and selfless key position swing man with mediocre talent.

Great post Bob......

My opinion on this particular topic is well known, so I really have nothing further to add !!!

As for Freak, he's just starting fires because he's struggling to make a name for himself with any other posts. If you posted anything interesting or meaningful then people would notice what you say, and you wouldn't have to start attention seeking threads like this or bignote yourself at every opportunity. Poor little boy.

And unfortunately this is totally accurate, and I have no understanding how any supporter of any club can so actively "hate" and abuse one of our own.

[beelzebub 22,268]

Richo, you surely don't mean the Matthew Richardson from Richmond?

oh you're dead right ...what was I thinking..he only kicked 53 goals

[Freak 100]

The MFC, for some time, has had a problem where we have been inconsistent. The basis for this is a culture of getting comfortable and not being hard enough on ourselves. Hence the wild fluctuations between seasons, games and within games themselves.

TJ has been one of the biggest culprits, in that he goes from the ridiculous to the sublime, between and within games and seasons.

Bailey has traded him out.

Bailey is clearly looking to change the culture at the MFC to a successful and hard working one. It is no coincidence that in 2000, our best year, we prided ourselves on having a 'blue collar midfield'. The basis of this new culture is a hard working and determined group of players.

Brad Miller is a hard working KPP with fantastic leadership qualities. He's someone that would really take on board and promote a new culture. TJ wouldn't care and would probably ignore it, being a bad influence on other players. Brad Miller is an example of the culture that we need at the club.

While Miller isn't Wayne Carey in playing ability, he is a servicable, hard working and selfless player. Plus he's a great size with very good running ability. I am more than happy to have him playing for the MFC.

The issue people have is that they misjudged him when he first burst onto the scene. People saw him as being a superstar CHF, when they failed to recognise him for exactly what he is: a determined, hardworking and selfless key position swing man with mediocre talent.

As for Freak, he's just starting fires because he's struggling to make a name for himself with any other posts. If you posted anything interesting or meaningful then people would notice what you say, and you wouldn't have to start attention seeking threads like this or bignote yourself at every opportunity. Poor little boy.

Dear Mr Axis Bob,

This post was not meant to be interesting. I believed that Miller is barely a vfl standard player, and consequently the likes of ferguson and godfrey will feel even more shattered. I then went on to show you Millers stats...which you failed to look at. You create the spot fires..not me. You're just insecure about the fact that Melbourne will be flag-less unless we become miller-less. Grow some and have an opinion.

[timD 994]

Freak, bob has clearly stated that he has an opinion, and that must mean that he's 'grown some', whch makes your statement redundant. Thanks. As for being flagless, is that a causal relationship?

[Axis of Bob 10,295]

As I said, until you have something interesting to say every intelligent poster on this site will continue to treat you with contempt.

You don't care for Ferg or Godders, you only care about making a name for yourself. This is shown by you constantly bignoting yourself on other threads about your achievements. I don't care - nobody cares. People will judge you for what you bring to a discussion on these boards and you bring nothing but self-indulgent crap.

You have raised this topic repeatedly and, frankly, you bore me. It has been shown that I am not alone in my views.

BTW, I have received comebacks from some masters. Your's was just pathetic. Seriously lame. "You're just insecure about the fact that Melbourne will be flag-less unless we become miller-less." My god, what did that sound like in your head? Just tragic.

[rpfc 27,590]

Miller is a very lucky boy to get another 2 years, that being said (to death) I believe we can get some value out of him, but as a CHF?

Not sure, it's very difficult to say 'Brad we want you to play...(insert CHF, CHB, FB, HFF, Wing)' because at the minute we would have better, more deserving, options ahead of him. Anyway, putting him in one spot could be the end of him if he doesn't work it out quickly.

Maybe FB would be where we have few options beyond Carroll.

Apart from that, get him learning CHF, HFF, Wing, HBF. Something that suits his style; endurance running, presenting, able to quickly move it on, and not in a position where it is necessary to read the play well.

[Nasher 33,133]

You're just insecure about the fact that Melbourne will be flag-less unless we become miller-less. Grow some and have an opinion.

I think sometimes it's a good idea to realise when you are out of your depth.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I think sometimes it's a good idea to realise when you are out of your depth.

Because he thinks that Miller is useless?

[Guest fatty]

As for Freak, he's just starting fires because he's struggling to make a name for himself with any other posts. If you posted anything interesting or meaningful then people would notice what you say, and you wouldn't have to start attention seeking threads like this or bignote yourself at every opportunity. Poor little boy.

This is laughable. Freak, I hope you make a name for yourself and earn the respect you so richly deserve. I'll be watching closely.

It is irrelevant that Brad Miller is an ordinary footballer.

Brad Miller must be good because he's re-signed with the MFC and you have no right to question the decision.

Get with the program, Pal.

[Pello 1]

Miller played 16 matches last season.

Here are 12 of those 16 matches:

r1: 10 touches

r6, 3 touches

r7, 10 touches

r8: 8 touches

r9: 12 touches

r14: 11 touches

r15: 9 touches

r 16: 13 touches

r17:10 touches

r18: 9 touches

r21: 10 touches

r22: 13 touches

POTENTIAL!!!

No1 here as even put forward a logical argument for keeping Miller. I heard that he played 1 good game in the vfl, i've heard that he has played the odd good game at afl..but every sinlge player that has played the amount of games that Miller has played and had his amount of opportunities would have played a few good games atleast.

I must admit I am getting bored of these blogs on Brad Miller. As a matter of interest Freak when Miller played that outstanding game against Fremantle in the final a couple of year ago did you applaud him then?

You want logical arguments as to why Miller should be kept well below is what I posted a few weeks ago when this tiresome subject was raised again:

To answer your question about what value is he:

1. Miller gives us another tall opton forward or back in a team desperately lacking KPP's.

2. He gives us a big strong body in a team that has few of these.

3. He gives us some much needed depth when injuries strike as they have done and will do again.

4. He does present well and provides a leading option for our midfielders and backs. Yes sometimes he leads too far up the ground but hey so does Nick Reiwoldt - its not the worst sin one can commit.

5. And despite what you say he did take some good pack marks this year and kick some good goals. His skills in this area are clearly improving.

This year he showed improvement at times but was frustratingly inconsistent. His game against Fremantle in that final was no fluke. He showed us all he can play the game. He is a confidence player and with the right coach he will develop into a good CHF. He needs a good coach - a teaching coach. Enter Bailey.

So Freak save your vitriol for the opposition and learn to live with the fact that Miller will be wearing the number 7 for at least 2 more years and lets hope many more after that.

[old55 21,427]

I've been unimpressed with Miller's footballing ability but he has youth, size and the right attitude and most importantly Dean Bailey thinks he can do something with him. I'm prepared to wait and see. Sydney traded 44 for Playfair so that's probably what was on offer for Miller - it's not a huge price to pay to find out.

[Guest fatty]

So Freak save your vitriol for the opposition and learn to live with the fact that Miller will be wearing the number 7 for at least 2 more years and lets hope many more after that.

I don't think he wears no.7 at Sandy.

You can mount a case for him to remain at Melbourne but he's still a very average footballer. I don't think Freo paid much attention to him in that one single game that you use to defend him.

Its interesting that when Riley took over he said that they were going to play him for the remainder of the year - but he still got dropped!!!

The ONLY reason Miller is still there is they can't turn over the list all at once and as Old55 points out, there's not a huge cost.

[Dees_23 0]

Should Brad be played in the Back or Forward Line? I Believe he should be played in the forward line. We need to have a stronger forward line to be able to compete with the other great teams. We need to kick that 15-20 goals per game. Our % is forever the lowest of all teams. This year it would be good to see what Dean has for him. I would like to see him become a full forward out of the square. He is strong, fast and can take a mark. Unfortunately he regulary does this on the wing. I'd like to see hime play more like a Barry Hall, crash and Bang. He has the potential to become great but where?

[Demon3 2,541]

Should Brad be played in the Back or Forward Line? I Believe he should be played in the forward line. We need to have a stronger forward line to be able to compete with the other great teams. We need to kick that 15-20 goals per game. Our % is forever the lowest of all teams. This year it would be good to see what Dean has for him. I would like to see him become a full forward out of the square. He is strong, fast and can take a mark. Unfortunately he regulary does this on the wing. I'd like to see hime play more like a Barry Hall, crash and Bang. He has the potential to become great but where?

Im afraid Miller has NOT got the potential to be great. He is NOT a great Mark, and he will never be a barry hall type because he is a DUMB footballer with neither the ability or the skills to crash and bang within the laws of the game and has no footy smarts. I see whu he is still onthe list, we are desperatley short on bigger bodied players, but i think he is very lucky and must start repaying some faith..