“I just feel like five years have been taken off my career . . .”
That’s how a reinvigorated Brad Miller has described his move to Tigerland, which was made official at yesterday’s (December 7) AFL rookie draft.
The 27-year-old veteran of 133 league games, delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season, was taken by Richmond as a mature-age rookie.
He’s jumping out of his newly-acquired Tiger skin as he prepares for the 2011 season.
“With training, it’s like starting all over again for me,” Miller said.
“It’s a feeling like you’ve lost something, and then you get it back . . . you’re given another opportunity.
“That does a lot for your enthusiasm.”
After Miller departed company with the Demons post-season, he had a meeting with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick to see if his league career could be revived.
“I really enjoyed my first chat with ‘Dimma’,” he said.
“He was really honest with how he saw me, and how he envisaged me fitting into the Club.
“And, I was honest with him about my aspirations. I told him that I still wanted to continue playing, and would do everything I could to continue playing.
“We got along really well straight away.”
Miller has adapted superbly to life at his new football home . . .
“I’ve settled in really well. It’s a very young group . . . I’m the second or third oldest. They’re a really good bunch of young blokes,” he said.
“I got to go away to New Zealand with them and that was really good . . . got to know everyone a little bit better.”
In his short time so far at Punt Road, Miller has earned rave reviews for his excellent leadership qualities.
“This will be my 10th year in the game, so I’ve got something to give back to the younger guys, who have only been in the system for a few years,” he said.
“It’s just something that happens naturally . . . it’s not something I pursue. But if guys follow, then that’s great.”
Miller has totally embraced Richmond, and all the Club stands for, as he enters the next phase of his league career.
“It’s a proud club, with a lot of history, and I’m looking forward to contributing in some way,” he said.
