AS Season 7 of the AFL Women’s competition edges closer, there are plenty of players looking to backup what could be considered breakout seasons earlier this year with impactful full-year campaigns. In the Big Improvers series, we take a look at some players who really caught the eye in 2022 with improvements across the boards for their sides. We start with Richmond key defender Rebecca Miller who had an outstanding season, finishing second overall in the Tigers’ best and fairest, and has not missed a game for the yellow and black.

REBECCA MILLER (Richmond)

Age: 26
Position: Key Defender
Height: 184cm
Draft: 2019 Pre-listed
Recruited from: Richmond VFLW

Rebecca Miller was pre-listed in 2019 ahead of Richmond’s entry into the AFL Women’s competition, having played for the yellow and black at VFL Women’s level. Providing some extra height for the Tigers, Miller would go on to play the six games, averaging 6.7 disposals, 1.3 marks and 1.7 rebound 50s from 85 per cent game time. She would also average 2.3 intercepts per game, becoming a solid defender in her first season.

In 2021, Miller upped her time on ground to 92.3 per cent as she adapted to the higher level, with her disposal efficiency rocketing up from 60 per cent the previous year to 75.2 per cent. She also increased her average disposals (8.4) marks (1.8) and rebound 50s (2.4), and critically picked up 4.8 intercepts per game. Her offensive game began to lift to match that of her defensive game, but it was in 2022 where Miller went from a vital player internally, to getting some external plaudits.

Earlier this year, Miller averaged 12.3 disposals, 2.0 marks and 4.7 rebounds in a massive 98 per cent game time. She had 5.5 intercepts per match and picked up five contested marks, which was up from one in her first 15 AFL Women’s games. Critically, her contested numbers rose (4.7 up from 2.7), while her disposal efficiency (74.4 per cent) remained stable. She was winning more one-on-ones, taking consistent grabs and providing great rebound out of the back half, with as much efficiency as she did the previous year.

Miller’s efforts in 2022 did not go unrecognised, finishing second behind teammate and midfield jet Monique Conti in the Tigers’ AFL Women’s Best and Fairest. She notched up 17 votes – three behind Conti in the count – which was credit to her season. But the external plaudits saw her earn her first All-Australian squad nomination. While she did not make the final 21, Miller went from being a strong role player in her first season, to a potential All-Australian within two year.

Now Season 7 is here, Miller will remain a crucial cog in the Tigers’ defence, and is one who will be looked upon to both shut down opposition forwards, but provide great run out of defence. With Richmond hoping to continue its rise up the AFL Women’s ladder, few players will be more critical to that success than Miller, whose statistics speak for themselves.