AS a Southport junior who has come through the Sharks program and into the Gold Coast and Queensland representative sides, Caitlin Miller is always looking to improve. The small utility has been playing forward at hte 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships, but is capable of playing anywhere, having picked up plenty of tricks over the years in her football journey.

“I started in 2017 at Labrador and then I got picked up by Southport in 2018 and I’ve just played there and I’ve moved up from juniors to QAFL,” Miller said.

The Gold Coast Suns Academy player described her kicking, tackling and clean hands as strengths, though said she was always hoping to sharpen up both her kicking and tackling techniques. Additionally, Miller had her sights focused on bringing the heat around the ball, and applying greater pressure to opponents.

Miller said her dad was her inspiration over the journey, and she hoped to become a “better person and a better athlete” out of football, having enjoyed her experience through the Queensland pathways.

At Metricon Stadium to open the AFLW Under 18 Championships for Queensland against Vic Metro, Miller picked up eight disposals, two marks, two inside 50s and kicked a goal, in what she described as a “good experience” out on an elite level venue.

Tasting victory against Vic Country at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee three days later, Miller again hit the scoreboard with 1.1 from five disposals and three marks, providing a target in the forward half of the ground and using the ball well when she had her opportunities.

Though she has played as a forward for Queensland, Miller admitted she had been trialled in a range of positions over the journey, and was happy enough to play her role for the team.

“I like playing everywhere but probably back or forward,” she said.

Now Miller will set her sights on tackling the Allies on Saturday at Metricon 2 from 2pm, where her 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships campaign will come to a close. Then, it will be heading back to the Sharks, where the QAFLW newcomers are making a big statement in their first year in the league, and are among the title contenders.