Touk Miller is a name to remember for the future, the only question is in what sport? 70160_01 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Liam Twomey
The Essendon District Football League is home to some of the biggest names in the AFL world. These include Scott Lucas, Brodie Holland, Luke Livingstone, Chris Johnson and Touk Miller.
Haven’t heard of that last one yet?
Well pay attention because in a few years the Maribyrnong College student may be the captain of your Supercoach team.
Miller plays in the under 16’s for Maribyrnong Park but halfway through the season, the 15 year-old was invited to attend senior training.
The next weekend he pulled on the Lions jumper is was for the dual premiership winning A grade side.
“I did not see that coming what so ever, the coach asked me down for a trial and let me train with them,” Miller said.
“I just loved it. On the Thursday they announced the squad and called my name…I just couldn’t believe it.
“The game was great, I scored my first goal as well and from there was able to play about four or five other games with them.”
Boasting explosive pace and impeccable skills, it wasn’t long until Miller found his feet at A Grade level.
He was one of the Lions best players in their crunch round 17 game against Aberfeldie that determined whether they would make finals.
“First time I came onto the ground, Brodie Holland was coming off I was like, I’m swapping with an AFL superstar here,” Miller said.
“Out on the ground Brodie will come up and say you push up and I’ll drop back or you tell me do to this and I’ll do it. He really helps me out through the games.”
In his own age group Miller is near unstoppable. He was runner up in the league best and fairest and a clear winner in his club best and fairest.
It’s not just for the Lions where the Ascot Vale teenager has produced high calibre football.
Miller has been selected in the All Australian school boy team in the under-15 age group after an outstanding national carnival for Victoria.
He will travel to Perth for a training camp in January before jetting off to South Africa for a national tour.
“At the end when we won that day they held a presentation and they announced the team and gave us our jumpers and we had a photo, it was one of the best moments of my life,” Miller said.
“I can’t wait, especially South Africa. That’s the sort of place I never thought I would go. I can’t wait for all the clinics and stuff like that.”
After completing 15 training session a week it would be fair enough if Miller took the entire summer off to recover and relax. Well think again, he is also the wicketkeeper for the state cricket team.
“That was something I found a bit later. I was about 11 or 12 and decided I couldn’t really bowl so had a go at the keeping,” Miller said.
“I got picked up in a couple of squads and it sort of took off for me and showed a side of me I didn’t really know.”
At some stage Miller knows he may have to choose bet-
ween the two sports, but for the
moment he is content to continue
terrorising opponents in both
games.
“I would probably pick football at the moment but I’m trying to keep my options open. That’s why I’m not giving up on cricket because you never know what will happen.”
In 2012 he is looking forward to representing the Calder Cannons and if past form is anything to go by, the other TAC Cup sides should begin planning for Miller now.
