LOCKY MILLER

Locky Miller grew up here on the Coffs Coast playing rugby league for the Coffs Harbour Comets and the Sawtell Panthers, and this year he’s playing fullback for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL, after debuting with the Cronulla Sharks last year. He will be stepping out for the Knights on home turf on the 20th May at C.Ex stadium in Coffs, against his old team the Sharks, so it’s bound to be an interesting game for him!

Hey Locky, tell us where your football career began?

My football career began back in under 10’s for the Coffs Harbour Comets where I played all my juniors and my first couple of seasons in the senior grades before moving to Sawtell Panthers. My professional career didn’t kick off until I was 22 when I played in the Ella 7’s tournament in Coffs Harbour and from there was lucky enough to find my way into the Australian Rugby 7’s program where I spent 5 years.

Now as fullback in the NRL how has the transition been for you from Rugby to Rugby League?

The transition hasn’t been easy, but it has been enjoyable. Organising a defensive line as a fullback has been one of the toughest differences I have encountered throughout the process along with the higher level of contact you face during an NRL game compared to 7’s.

Naturally over the course of 80 mins compared to 14 you will find a lot more contact but having 13 players compared to 7 means a lot more bodies are in the tackles.

Take us back to last year when you stepped out for the Cronulla Sharks against the New Zealand Warriors for your debut. What was that feeling like?

My debut was exciting. I had always dreamt of playing NRL since I started back in under 10’s and to finally have the chance was surreal. I had a lot of family and friends up there who braved the pouring rain, so it was a very special day for me.

Fast forward a year and you're now playing as fullback for the Newcastle Knights. How's the transition to a more full time role on the field been for you?

Being a fulltime fullback compared to where I was last year comes with more responsibility and a bit more say. Obviously last year I was fresh and didn’t have a lot of input. I was happy to go out there and do my job. Since the move to a full time position, you naturally have a bit more say in how everything happens so that yourself and the other spine members are working to each other’s strengths.

Continued over.

Can you walk us through a typical day in your life as a Knights fullback?

A typical training day involves a lot of video/ meetings where we do our review and preview along with a field session and some weights. If we have a day off I'll spend the day with my family, surfing or attempting to play golf.

What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful rugby player?

Dedication is important, a lot of people have the skill to go far in the game but out of those people a select few who are willing to do the extra efforts (fitness & skills) along with the sacrifices that might have to be made are a lot of the time the ones that can find themselves going far.

Out of your career so far what has been the biggest highlight for you and why?

I have been very lucky to have such amazing experiences throughout my sporting career but there are 2 moments that really stick out. First the Tokyo Olympics, growing up playing sport I always looked up to teams that represented Australia in any sport. Every 4 years when the Olympics rolled around, and it was all over TV it was always the pinnacle of sport but never did I once think I would get the opportunity to represent Australia at the Olympics. The 2nd would have to be my debut, as I touched on before. I played rugby league since I was very young, whether it was on the weekend or in the front yard, I always had a dream of playing in the NRL. Outside of my sporting career I have an amazing wife and beautiful son with a girl on the way, who I think have to be the highlight.

What's the dream goal for you and where do you see your football career heading in the next 5 years?

My goal for the moment is to try and play the best footy I can for the Knights and enjoy family life off the field. Ultimately, I want to win a premiership. 5 years from now it would be really nice to still be playing in the NRL, but I guess time will only tell if that will happen.

What advice would you give to young players who aspire to play rugby professionally?

For me my professional career didn’t start until I was 22 and my NRL career until I was 27. So not everyone gets there straight away and not every path is the same.

My advice would be to stay committed, never give up on your goal and take every opportunity that comes your way. For me my professional career didn’t start until I was 22 and my NRL career until I was 27. So not everyone gets there straight away and not every path is the same.

The 20th of May sees you playing against your old team here at the CEX stadium. What can we expect from Locky Miller?

Really excited for the game back in Coffs, obviously I have a lot of good friends in the Cronulla team that helped me get to the position I’m in today. Looking forward to playing in Coffs in front of family and friends and hopefully both teams can produce a good spectacle for the Coffs community. Thanks Locky.