Super-fit Miles has a Tiger in his tankBy Brad Worrall
Border Mail
Jan. 28, 2015HOWLONG’S Anthony Miles can’t wait to play footy again — ideally in front of family and friends in Richmond’s NAB Challenge match at Lavington on March 14.
Tickets for the clash against flag fancy Port Adelaide go on sale today to members of the two clubs and tomorrow to the public.
Miles said he had never been fitter.
“I haven’t missed many sessions in the pre-season and, like most footballers at this time of year, the body feels great,” he said yesterday.
“Hopefully, it sets me and the team up for a good year.
“We had a very solid training block leading up to the long weekend and were lucky enough to get three days off.
“But I think we are all getting to the point of just wanting to play footy.”
Miles signalled a shift off the rookie list was imminent in a NAB Cup match last year after being handed a lifeline by the Tigers.
The former Spider, North Albury Hopper and Murray Bushranger, 23, had been delisted by Greater Western Sydney after the 2012 season.
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Two goals in his first run for the Tigers in a pre-season game against Melbourne showed he was anything but a spent force.
After breaking into Richmond’s team to play North Melbourne in round 12, Miles finished the season as one of the AFL’s leading clearance players.
Miles said he had a soft spot for the pre-season competition and the Lavington ground.
“I played in a couple of NAB games at Lavington with GWS and then for the Tigers at Wangaratta — so I’ve been lucky to get the chance to play in front of family and friends before,” he said.
“It’s no secret that before that first NAB Cup game I played last year I wasn’t in the best 22 for the club.
“Those matches gives those on the fringe the chance to show the coaching staff just what they can do.
“Hopefully, I get to play in the first NAB Cup game against the Bulldogs at the end of February and again at Lavington, but we haven’t talked about selections just yet.”
Albury mayor Kevin Mack encouraged football fans to support the game.
“One of the questions people asked me most as mayor is when will Albury get another AFL game,” he said.
“Our region has a huge appetite for the AFL competition.
“Now it’s up to fans to show support by coming along to the match and sending the league a clear message that Albury-Wodonga remains one of its strongest support bases in regional Australia.”
The match will also serve as a fund-raiser for the James McQuillan future fund to assist the injured Albury player.
We had a very solid training block leading up to the long weekend and were lucky enough to get three days off. But I think we are all getting to the point of just wanting to play footy.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2845266/super-fit-miles-has-a-tiger-in-his-tank/
