Pep talk puts Tiger Miles back on his gameNat Edwards
afl.com.au
August 9, 2014 A CHAT to coach Damien Hardwick during the week helped Tiger Anthony Miles regain confidence following a disappointing performance against his former side Greater Western Sydney last round.
Miles had a poor first half against the Giants before being handed the job of tagging GWS co-captain Callan Ward.
Miles finished with just 12 disposals, a far cry from his average of 24 disposals this season.
After a consultation with his coach during the week, and a pre-game rev up from senior assistant Mark Williams, Miles bounced back against the Bombers with a best-on-ground performance.
The 22-year-old ran hot in the opening term racking up 14 touches and finished the match with 28 possessions, 12 of those contested, and a game-high seven clearances.
"I was disappointed last week," Miles told AFL.com.au after the Tigers' 18-point win over Essendon.
"I played a bit of a different role going to Ward in the second half so it was good to be freed up this week and allowed to hunt the footy.
"I had a bit of a chat to 'Dimma' and he told me, 'measure yourself on your bad games'. He said I still had an impact last week and helped the team get over the line.
"I had a chat to Mark Williams too today before the game and he said 'you've just got to back yourself and get back to hunting the footy and crashing in'. Both of them have been fantastic for me."
After being delisted by the Giants at the end of last year after just 10 games in two seasons, Miles was handed a second chance by the Tigers on their rookie list.
Hardwick has been impressed by the youngster’s form, in particular his ability to win the contested ball, since he was elevated into the senior side in round 12.
"He's been outstanding," Hardwick said.
"His ability to win the ball and distribute to others is at an elite level, there's no doubt about that.
"He's been a real credit to himself. He's worked incredibly hard and is just a very good player for us. We're just really pleased to have him on our list, probably very lucky to have him on our list too, to be perfectly honest."
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Miles' management is reportedly close to finalising a new two-year deal with the Tigers. The 22-year-old is hopeful that a deal will be struck in the near future.
"I think Richo (Richmond football manager Dan Richardson) and my manager are in the process of working it out," Miles said.
"I've heard small talks but nothing has been put in paper so I'm certainly very hopeful. I'm loving it in Melbourne and at Richmond, the staff and players have just been fantastic. I'm just rapt the Tigers have given me a second chance."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-09/tigers-turnaround-talk
