THERE’S no doubting that Teia Miles is learning from some of the best in the business.
The second-year Hawk is making a transition from defence to attack in 2016, as he strives to debut at AFL level.
After a consistent year for Box Hill Hawks last year, playing more often than not as a small defender, Miles is relishing the opportunity to develop another set of skills.
With the likes of All Australian small forwards Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli on hand, Miles is committed to honing the craft.
“Ever since coming back after Christmas, I’ve been training with the forward line, so I’m trying to learn those new positional things,” he told hawthornfc.com.au this week.
“It’s good to have Punky (Breust) and Cyril (Rioli) and those sort of blokes to learn off.
“I’m just trying to focus on playing a role for the team as a forward, and there’s still plenty more I can learn.”
With a strong start to 2016 behind him – in which he’s “only missed one training session” – the 19-year-old can see a bit of a difference from last year.
“I’m getting through it all and loving the work, and with the games coming in now there’s still plenty of big hit-outs to come,” Miles said.
“Coming in as a first year player, it was a lot about the fitness staff and the medical staff getting to know your body and how it works.
“This year it’s a bit more full on – if they think that you need more work, then you do more work. After only missing one session, I’m feeling pretty fit.”
Miles got a taste of the action last week, coming on in the second half of the Hawks’ 21-point NAB Challenge win against Carlton.
He’s in the squad for Saturday’s match against Richmond, and hoping some impressive pre-season performances can translate into a senior appearance in the season proper.
“I came on about ten minutes into the third quarter against the Blues, and it was good to get out there and have a run with the experienced players,” Miles said.
“I definitely wanted to play one or two NAB Challenge games, but I do have that big goal of hopefully playing AFL footy this year.
“If it’s one, two, three games, it doesn’t really faze me – and if I keep working hard and keep sticking at it, then that day will hopefully come.”
