Miller time: Newest Knight ready to shine in pre-season clash
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New recruit Lachlan Miller has signalled his intent to hit the ground running with the Knights by playing in the first trial game against his former club.
With the Knights officially confirming the three-year deal on Wednesday, the Coffs Harbour product said it was a “surreal” feeling to arrive in the Hunter as the earmarked No. 1 after playing most of the 2022 season in reserve grade for the Newtown Jets.
“12 months ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of being in this situation but I’m lucky to be here and I’m very grateful for both clubs for that,” Miller said.
“If you go back to this time last season, I didn’t have much of an idea of what I was doing or what I was getting into. [Now] I feel settled, I feel good and I feel like we’re in for a big year.
“That opportunity to play fullback was pretty appealing. I have a young family so the three-year deal secures our future.”
After representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, Miller caught the attention of the Sharks and signed a contract in late 2021 before making his NRL debut in April last year.
Ironically, the fleet-footed fullback will not only face his ex-teammates in Newcastle's first Pre-season Challenge match on February 10 but play in front of a home crowd in Gosford at Industree Group Stadium.
Match: Knights v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
16th Position
away Team
Sharks
3rd Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
“There’s obviously mixed emotions, I’ll get to play in front of my friends and family hopefully but then also play against some of my good mates,” he said.
“I got to go back [to Gosford] last year but I just didn’t get on the field which was unfortunate so hopefully this year I’m fit and healthy and I get picked.
“I still trained down there, obviously I wanted to keep fit and I wanted to keep my skills up to get here and hit the ground running.”
With the new signing all but confirming Ponga’s switch to the halves for the 2023 season, 28-year-old Miller said fans will be "shocked" to see what the Maroons star is capable of in the No. 6 jersey.
“Everyone knows how good of a fullback he is but just what I picked up when I watched him was his playmaking ability and his decision-making is obviously a very high level,” he said.
“I think he’s going to shock a couple of people if he switches to five-eighth; he looks really good and to play off the back of that is pretty exciting.
“My strength is my running game so hopefully I can just hover around the ruck and hopefully get some playmaking in there too.”
Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey said his brother Blayke endorsed Miller as a good addition to Adam O'Brien's roster and is excited to see what the new recruit will bring to a new-look Knights spine.
Brailey breaks the line
“He’s going to be a real asset to the spine and to us as a team. He’s got great speed, great footwork and I saw at training he’s got great skill as well.
“He’s definitely a handful. Watching him from afar he’s definitely a tackle-breaker, he completes really hard.
“Blayke has spoken really highly of Lachie, more of the person he is and how good of a bloke he is.
“He was pretty upset to see him leave the Shire but we're excited to have him and build that combination with him.”
