Bulldog Miller on pace for 300 club
Kris Miller remains as quick in hand and mind as he was when he made his WAFL debut 15 years ago.
But as the silky midfielder prepares to join one of the WAFL's most exclusive clubs by becoming just the sixth man to play 300 matches when South Fremantle host Perth today from 7pm, he recognised time had caught up with his ability to cover the field.
"I saw some old vision the other day and my wife asked me where my pace had gone," Miller said. "I had a bit of toe when I was younger.
"My speed of hand and mind has not changed but my ability to get across the ground has changed.
"It's funny - I don't feel that I have changed a bit but the reality is that I have of course."
He is an old-fashioned footballer who never cared much for weight rooms and gut running until his great mate and South Fremantle coach Paul Hasleby put the acid on him to lift his rating.
Miller responded, though he said his motivation to play on this year was driven by South Fremantle's resurgence rather than his nearing milestone.
Miller met several members of the 300 club for the first time this week and was proud to match their ability to combine longevity with quality over at least a decade and a half.
The other members are long-time West Perth teammates Mel Whinnen (371 matches) and Bill Dempsey (343), legendary East Fremantle and East Perth figure Jack Sheedy (322) and Hall of Famers Brian Peake (315) and Bill Walker (305).
"Getting to 300 shows you have been a pretty good player for a very long time," Peake said.
"I'm not sure anyone will get there again given the pace of the game."
Miller is sure this will be his last season and is eager to remain in Hasleby's plans by maintaining the level of performance that saw him play 153 consecutive matches with East Fremantle before adding 129 straight out of 146 at the Bulldogs.
