Tom Miller hits the line vs the Wagga Kangaroos earlier this year.
Cootamundra Bulldogs football runs deep down the Miller family line, from legendary announcer Ned Miller who was immortalised by the Club, having the new announcers box named in his honour, to Ned’s son Paul who shares the same love for his local Bulldogs as his father, and finally Tom Miller, who at the tender age of 23 is set to appear in his 100th game for the Bulldogs, along with Tom his sister Ellie features weekly in the league tag side for Coota with their mum Jodie helping the canteen, it’s certainly fair to say that the Miller’s bleed blue and white.
Bred locally, Tom has made his way through the ranks from junior footy to the Sullivan Cup in Cootamundra, where he impressed and was given an opportunity in the Weissel Cup, then at the young age of 17, Tom made his first-grade debut for the Bulldogs in Group 9, solidifying himself as another success story for the Bulldogs ‘grassroots’ system, one that continues to produce brilliant footballers who are given ample opportunity as they get older to show their skills amongst the first-grade team.
Since making his debut, Tom has proven to be an amazingly talented forward, able to fill in as a front rower, as well as playing lock when need be. His ball-playing allows for his versatility, with it being one of many strengths he possesses.
Bulldogs President Stephen Howse says he hopes to see at least 100 more out of Tom yet, as well as seeing more young players like Tom make their way up the ranks of Bulldogs football, “It’s a wonderful achievement to reach 100 games for any club. It’s not just what he brings on the football field, it’s what Tom brings off the football field. He’s a wonderful club man, you’d like 20 Tom Millers in your club.”
“A few young players are coming up. Jack Caldwell had his 50th.”
“If you looked back three years ago, we had an Under 19s in the Canberra comp and they were up against it every week, playing Gungahlin and Queanbeyan Blues, all quality clubs, we had 22 kids that year, and they never missed training, they never missed game days and then, there’s probably 15 of them are still playing for the Club, reggies and first. They all just hung around waiting for their opportunity and that’s what Reserve Grade is all about really.
“In our last game vs South City, 14 of the 17 picked were locals. Only the two front rowers (Nikola Sovatabua and Faafetai Vaavale) and Jarrad Elphick were the players who weren’t Cootamundra juniors.
“The club is going along well, there’s a great vibe around it, we are getting good numbers back to presentations and we’re getting some results, which is good. Results off the field are just as important.
“We are trudging along. We’ve probably surprised a few sides, we didn’t just want to make the numbers up.
“With all the injuries we’ve had so far this year the team has relied heavily on our reserve grade and under-18s side to get the job done. You look at Ollie (Hall) and Jai (Willoughby), and how they’ve been going. Neither of them looks out of place. They will only get better, and more experienced. When they drop back to Under 18s, they should kill it.”
Coach David Buttriss says Tom is a pleasure to work with, and echoed Howse’s sentiment that Coota youth will continue to be at the forefront of the Club, “It’s very well deserved for Tommy. A lot of people knew that he was going to reach a high amount of games for the Club, he loves the Bulldogs, his family has had a lot to do with them and we can’t wait for a Saturday to come around so we can celebrate it for him.”
“He has a big presence on the boys. Everyone respects his opinion, he’s a great guy to have around. The hard work that he does on the field speaks for itself, but off the field, he’s got so much character and is great to have around the football club.
“He’s always put his hand up in the past if there’s a coaching role that needs filling. He’s had some input on some things we’ve done this year with us relying on some of the 18’s boys who he co-coaches. He’s truly smart about his football. I can see him going on to be a future first-grade coach for the Club.
“He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get that win; he’s very well-liked around the community.
“There would be nothing better than running out there for Tommy’s 100th and winning it to make the celebrations sweeter.
“His pop has called games at the club for over 50 years now and his father, Paul Miller, (young) Ned, has been a part of the club since he was a young boy too. There’s a lot of history here with the Millers and if it’s not for families like them hanging around and having that passion for the club it’s probably not doing as good as what it is at the moment.”
Tom himself, forever humble is proud to be a part of such a brilliant Club, and hopes to continue playing alongside his mates for years to come, “I’ve had the opportunity to play with some great players, my first year here I got to play alongside Scotty Piffero in one of my first games, which I was his last year playing; that was always pretty special. He’s a club legend, and to also play so many games with my mates, Luke Levitt, Jordy Ballard and Joe Ward. I love sharing the field with my best mates.
“Coming through the juniors has been a bit surreal, growing up and watching the older boys play to then go and have the chance to play with the team yourself is unbelievable, and it’s what the Club has built off for many years, with the next wave of players coming up if they can stick together for the next 3-5 years I believe the Club will be in a great spot.
“I haven’t been able to experience those successful moments with the Club where we’re winning big finals games and competitions, we’ve been in a rebuilding phase sort of since I joined, now I think we’re starting to turn a corner.
“The best moments for me so far have been watching the younger boys get a chance in first grade, I see how hard they work in training; for them to come in and take the chance with both hands makes me happier than any accolade of games I achieve for myself. They are the future of this Football Club.
“I’m happy to see that the hard work of all the people behind the scenes to get us back into Group 9 so that we’re all together as a Club has paid off, I believe we’re tracking as good as we can be at this point of the season.”
Tom admits it’s been an adjustment coming back into Group 9 against more experienced forward packs, but an enjoyable one, “The middles are bigger and stronger as well as the game being a lot faster. It’s taken a bit to adjust back to it, hopefully by the end of the year and in the future, we understand the standards and can reach them ourselves.”
“It’ll be a good game against the Diesels. It will be a much different team to what we played in the trial. They have picked up a few since then, including Ben Shea (Junee’s new forward/coach.) They got a good win against Young not too long ago, so we’re expecting a bit of a tough challenge. We have about half a dozen blokes out as well, it’s going to be pretty tough. Our backs are against the wall, we have got to show up and see how we go.”
It will be a packed Laurie Daley Oval for Saturday’s games with the junior football preceding the under-18s, reserve grade (Terry Douglas Shield) and first-grade games. Tom’s 100th game will kick off at 2:35 pm.
Tully Potts SWST Sports Editor.
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