There is an old-fashioned feel to Touk Miller's footy. He likes to dig in for disposals, he plays with his socks pulled up, and faced the age-old decision of pursuing an AFL or cricket career.
But the Calder Cannons and Vic Metro captain also added some dash and flash to his game this season, in what was a consistent campaign for the 18-year-old.
His NAB AFL Under-18 Championships were affected by a shoulder injury but he managed to play with the concern and continued to tackle hard, chase and pick up touches in the midfield.
As a 15-year-old, Miller made his senior football debut for local club Maribyrnong Park, and also became the second youngest person to play for premier cricket club North Melbourne.
He stopped playing cricket last year to focus on his football, a decision which should be rewarded on November 27 with his name likely to be called by an AFL club.
Miller is a powerful on-baller with a strong trunk and legs that make it difficult for him to be pushed off the ball at contests. In 13 TAC Cup games this season, he averaged 22 disposals and five clearances.
He's best inside those stoppages, using his quick hands to get the footy and dish it out. He also likes to push forward when he can, and he averaged a goal a game in the TAC Cup this season, including three goals in the Cannons' Grand Final defeat.
One-on-one Miller is hard to get around: his core strength and dogged attitude is difficult to counter.
Miller ran 10:19 for the three-kilometre time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and uses that aerobic capacity to defend well across the ground, a trait easy to miss but important nonetheless.
For a smaller midfielder he's not super fast (he tested 3.06 seconds for the 20m sprint at the combine). But other than that it's just a matter if clubs are looking for smaller inside midfielders.
Miller plays a bit taller and stronger than he is, and marks well overhead for a player his size, but is still just 178cm.
Miller is fine with putting his head over the footy, copping a few bumps and bruises and getting on with things. In that way, he's a little like Melbourne's Nathan Jones – a player you'd back to give his all every week through the midfield and one who can use his solid frame to impact clearances.
Somewhere between picks 20 and 40 seems the most likely spot for Miller, who should be able to nestle into a club relatively quickly.
The good thing about Miller is that he does all the hard stuff. And then, occasionally, he'll break out of a pack, take a few steps and kick a long goal. He's a prospect with all the midfield essentials, plus a couple of tricks.
