Ex-Giant Miles signs new two-year deal with RichmondJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
August 21, 2014 RICHMOND rookie Anthony Miles won't have to wait for a teammate's injury to play senior football next season after signing a two-year contract with the club.
The 22-year-old, who had to endure close to a two-month wait last year to see if his AFL dream would continue after being delisted from Greater Western Sydney, will be on the Tigers' senior list until at least the end of 2016.
Miles has been a revelation since making his Richmond debut in round 12 against North Melbourne.
He has averaged nearly 25 disposals a game, over six clearances and nearly five tackles.
The hardnut is second to only captain Trent Cotchin for contested possessions at the club, with an average of 11 per game.
Miles said it was a dream come true to have continued playing AFL and now to have his future sewn up for at least the next two years.
"I was hopeful [of being re-signed], but I did think I'd have to wait until the end of the year," Miles told the club's website.
"Even at the start of the year, I was just hoping to be a rookie for another year … to extend my rookie contract.
"So, to be offered a two-year deal is awesome."
The Tigers picked Miles in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft last year with selection No.27 but didn't give him any guarantees leading up to the day.
The club told him two weeks out from the draft there probably wouldn't be room for him on the list, which changed again the night before when he was told he was a chance after all.
Back in June, Miles told AFL.com.au he believed the influence of Mark Williams, who was an assistant coach at the Giants before he left for Richmond himself at the end of 2012, had something to do with their decision.
"I think he might have been one of the factors and what changed their mind during that two week period," he said.
"He was probably a big believer in me when I was at the Giants so I think he probably had a big part in it.
"He was fantastic for me and he's a really good teacher of the game and is great with young players.
"To be reunited with him has been great and this year I've learned a lot from him and all the other coaches at Richmond."
Earlier on Thursday, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick singled out the contribution of Miles as to why the Tigers were playing a better brand of footy than they were this time last year.
"I think it's more sustainable the way we're playing," Hardwick said.
"We're brought in a contested ball guy in Anthony Miles and we were probably a little bit inconsistent at stages with that last year.
"I think we're AFL No.2 or three this year and it's probably been a lot more consistent over the course of four quarters.
"We at stages had various games where we just didn't play well and we couldn't get our hands on the ball, and that hasn't appeared this year.
"We've just got to make sure we continue to work hard to make sure that doesn't happen and there's no doubt personnel has played a part in that."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-21/tiger-to-log-more-miles
