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Lachie Miller

Burwood

Burwood

Bench
Messages
4,781
What’s the logic of not playing Miller in NSW Cup this week? With the byes and him sitting on the bench against Manly, he’ll only have played 2 games in the last 5 rounds- hardly a good way to get a player back into form.
 
Woosh

Woosh

Head Moderator
Messages
1,041
Signed just a month before the season from Cronulla, where he debuted last year and played seven NRL games, Miller hit the ground running for the Knights despite his limited preparation time with the side.

In his first five games, he averaged 218 run-metres and a competition-high 9.8 tackle-breaks per match.

In a real purple patch of form across rounds three to five, he also scored two tries, and notched three try-assists and three line-breaks.

While it wasn't all diamonds with Miller making a few mistakes that showed his limited NRL experience, his stats in that period were almost off the charts.

Realistically, they were probably unsustainable.

Given the stage he is at in his NRL career, Miller - who has only played 18 NRL games, 11 of them this year - said he while he wasn't expecting to have a dip in form, he knew he would be challenged through the season.

"I did expect not to be the best player the whole time," he said. "Obviously I haven't played a lot of NRL before, so it was quite possible I would have those dips. You'd hope not, but we've got probably one of the best fullbacks in the league in our team, and I was playing in that position.

"It's pretty hard not to see something like this happening if we need a win. I've been pretty open about - I know how good Kalyn is.

"I'm pretty happy to do whatever is best for the team, whether that is me coming off the bench or playing cup or whatever it is. But I'm quite confident if I get back in there, I'll bounce back."

Miller was an unused interchange against Manly. Knights coach Adam O'Brien said he was hesitant to put him in the front-line of defence while the game was still in the balance.

O'Brien mooted playing Miller in NSW Cup against Parramatta at Cessnock on Saturday to see how he would fare in a few positions. Miller, who wasn't named to play but may still feature, started five games at five-eighth last year for Newtown.

"I played a little bit in the front-line ... but obviously I need work on it," he said.

With Phoenix Crossland, who has previously been the bench utility, settled at dummy-half, Miller will likely be vying with Kurt Mann for a spot on the bench.

A versatile option, Mann is nearing a return from an abdominal injury and should be fit for Newcastle's next game against the Broncos in Brisbane on Saturday week.

But Miller was confident he could prove himself as a viable utility in the fortnight between games.

"I'd like to think so, I used to play in the halves and hooker as well," he said.

"If ... an outside-back goes down, I can fill those positions. If I'm going to be that utility, it's just getting some reps in the front-line."
Click to expand...

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Knights fullback vying for utility role after being dropped to the bench

Miller was demoted to the bench last game. Can he be the No. 14?
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au
 
Woody90

Woody90

Juniors
Messages
1,062
Burwood said:
What’s the logic of not playing Miller in NSW Cup this week? With the byes and him sitting on the bench against Manly, he’ll only have played 2 games in the last 5 rounds- hardly a good way to get a player back into form.
Click to expand...

There’s literally no logic to it. Would have been a perfect opportunity to give him a run at hooker and see how he went. No idea why AOB wouldn’t.
 
aqua_duck

aqua_duck

Coach
Messages
18,337
Burwood said:
What’s the logic of not playing Miller in NSW Cup this week? With the byes and him sitting on the bench against Manly, he’ll only have played 2 games in the last 5 rounds- hardly a good way to get a player back into form.
Click to expand...
Yep strange decision that
 
Yosh

Yosh

Coach
Messages
11,303
Gamble has been great at six this year. AOB loves Mann so I don't see how Miller gets a spot in first grade unless injuries.
 
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