Miller out of the Doghouse
South Fremantle veteran Kris Miller is set to be recalled and will likely play his 150-game milestone for the club in next month's Foundation Day derby in an agreement reached by key Bulldogs figures.
Miller, 33, has not played in league ranks since being dropped in the wake of the club's thrashing in round three from East Perth at Fremantle Oval in a decision that fuelled speculation over the midfielder's potential retirement.
The three-times Bulldogs best-and-fairest winner has responded to his axing by stringing together three dominant performances in the reserves, culminating in finishing with 41 disposals and a goal against Claremont's seconds last Saturday week.
Senior South officials want to see the 2009 premiership player, who has become a well-respected and admired figure at the club since switching from East Fremantle at the end of 2006, bring up the milestone before he finishes his decorated WAFL career.
_The West Australian _understands that, barring injury or fitness concerns, Miller, who has played 301 matches, will be recalled for Saturday's league clash against Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium as South Fremantle attempt to post a fourth successive victory coming off a winless first month.
A solid performance would then allow the hard-working on-baller to officially qualify for life membership with the Bulldogs by lining up against the Sharks in the Foundation Day derby at Fremantle Oval on June 2.
Miller this year became just the sixth man to play 300 WAFL matches.
South Fremantle chief executive Stuart Kemp said it would be a "natural thing" for the veteran to be considered for a recall on the back of his reserves form, but stressed he would come under selection consideration on the same terms as any other player.
"He starts the season off, he plays with us and we were hoping that he would get there (to 150 games)," Kemp said.
"He's made his 300-game mile-stone, which was fantastic, and that probably won't be done again."
Bulldogs football manager Garry Davidson said the match committee would discuss selection for the Peel game following the club's bye last weekend.
He said Miller had originally been dropped partly because of the need to work on the defensive side of his game.
"He's certainly had plenty of the ball," Davidson said.
