No ego and sharing the work load. That's what Gold Coast midfield general Touk Miller believes will be the key to overcoming the Demons on Saturday evening.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Suns will head into the clash without rising star Matt Rowell, who is expected to miss at least three months with a shoulder injury. Rowell remains with the 29-man squad which arrived in Wollongong in the early hours of Sunday morning as part of a two-week camp due to the COVID-19 crisis in Victoria.
The No.1 draft pick played a key role in helping the club soar to a 3-2 record, before he was injured in a strong tackle by Geelong's Brandan Parfitt last weekend. While Rowell will be missed, Miller has backed Gold Coast's midfielders to stand up and help seal their fourth win.
"Our midfield is built on no egos and also blokes that can play their role for the team. He will be missed but in saying that, we've definitely enough personnel to make sure we can fill that void," the 24-year-old said.
"The key to beating any team, I think, is contested pressure. If we bring that every week, I will say more than likely we would get the four points. You get the first crack at the nut so it's fantastic to have that opportunity playing as a midfielder, not everyone gets that chance.
"[But] Matt's doing really well. It's weird for him, I don't think he's missed a game of football in his life. I think his attitude is that it's part of football, everyone does get injured, people have surgery: it's a normal thing. It will be a learning curve for him, on how to help the club not being on the field will be different for him. But he's a fantastic bloke and I wouldn't be surprised if he came back early but there's no time slot on him [returning]. But he's going to be in good stead going forward."
One man who looms ominously on Saturday is Max Gawn. The 208cm Demons captain is one of the AFL's premier ruckmen.
"Gawn can hit 360 [degrees] which is handy for them but doesn't always work in your favour," Miller, who has played more than 100 AFL games, said.
"But [Suns ruckman] Jarrod Witts is in great form and I fully back him in to beat Gawn. If we can nullify Gawn and with our young, potent midfield, I definitely think we can get the four points."
When asked about his own form in 2020, Miller said he had "been playing my role for the team".
"I think that if everyone plays seven out of tens for the team, we will win. As long as I keep producing that, I'll be more than happy," he said.
I think that if everyone plays seven out of tens for the team, we will win.
- Touk Miller