Touk Miller has been one of the few shining lights in what has been a dim start to 2015 at the Gold Coast SUNS. His ferocious harassment of opposition ball carriers and willingness to play team-first football has made him a favourite inside Metricon Stadium, both in the football department and in the stands.
 
In a great show of faith, by both the club and player, Miller has already extended his contract, re-signing with SUNS until the end of 2017. After just seven games at the elite level, it’s not difficult to see why the hierarchy at the Gold Coast would want to lock away their precious talent.
 
Whilst his on-field feats are already blossoming, the 19-year-old’s character and strong grounding have already earmarked him as a future leader of the football club.
 
With a never-before-seen injury plague engulfing Carrara, Miller has been one of the great beneficiaries of the added exposure. Out of pure necessity, the Victorian has been forced to spend greater time in the midfield than the coaching staff would have envisaged. With no Gary Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara or David Swallow, Miller has thrived in the engine room.
 
In the last month, Miller has averaged 21.3 disposals, 9.8 contested possessions and five tackles per game. Despite the SUNS' less than impressive start to 2015, Miller has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the game. His Rising Star calculations growing by the week.
 
Since arriving at the club in late November, via selection No. 29 in the National Draft, Miller has not put a foot wrong. Now, with the ink still drying on his contract extension, Miller is happy to focus on his football with his future more certain.
 
“Yeah I think it is a great show of faith. It’s been in the works for a month or so, it’s good to get it out of the way I think; focus on my footy for the rest of the year. I was happy to sign as well. I had no qualms in doing so. I’m enjoying my time at the club so I thought it was a good thing,” Miller said on Tuesday morning.
 
“I think the injuries are probably not a benefit for the club, but from my perspective it gives me a bit more of an opportunity. I’ve sort of tried to take it in my stride, take the opportunity head on. I think I’ve done alright so far I just have to keep going and make sure I hold my spot in the team for the rest of the year.”
 
Confidence is a valuable commodity in this game, and something that Miller oozes. In less than two months, the product of the Calder Cannons football factory has demonstrated his poise under pressure and ability to make clever decisions.
 
After showing glimpses of class in his opening two appearances, Miller has flourished in the last month. With minimal experience and guidance around him, Miller’s feats are that little bit more impressive. He admits he is still finding his feet at the level, but is growing in confidence by the week. And it’s not hard to see this just by watching the tenacious bull terrier persecute opponents.
 
“Massive wealth of confidence (gained by playing each week). Especially the first two games, I didn’t battle but I found it a little bit harder to find my feet, I wasn’t getting as much of the ball, finding it a bit hard to get up to pace with the game,” Miller said.
 
“But now that I’ve had a couple of good games under my belt, I wouldn’t say I find it easier – because AFL’s not easy at all – I definitely find it a bit more kind of easier to get around the ground and find my feet and find the ball a bit more.”
 
Although only a small sample size, one thing that stands out more than anything else in Miller’s game is his innate ability to hold his feet in the contest – both on the ground and in aerial encounters.
 
He lands on his feet like a cat from the air, darting off with the ball or to the next opponent. But it’s not something Miller considers, it’s simply something that comes naturally to his game. A quality that always sees him remain in the contest.
 
“I think staying on my feet just sort of happens when I’m in the contest. I’ve never really seeked out to do during the game, or I’ve worked on. When I go up I can keep my feet, it’s probably a good thing it keeps me in the contest,” Miller said.
 
Having watched Miller closely during his infancy, you get the sense he is not far away from producing a four-quarter performance that puts the competition on notice. An effort that genuinely announces him as one of the best emerging young talents in the game. And a match that sees him jettison up the Rising Star pecking order. At this rate, it won’t be far away at all.