Now in his eighth season at the Club, lockdown defender, Ben Miller, has taken his game to a new level in 2025, becoming a core member of Richmond's back six.

Miller has featured in all 13 of the side's matches this season, playing a pivotal role in shutting down the opposition’s key forwards.

In Round 12 against the Giants, Miller kept last year’s Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan goalless. The feat marked the first time Hogan had played a game without kicking a single goal since Round 16 of 2023.  

Miller also kept Peter Wright goalless in the Dreamtime at the 'G clash, while he has limited star forwards Jake Waterman and Nick Larkey to one goal each this season.

“We had quite a consistent backline last year and this year so far, and we are just gelling together," Miller told FOX FOOTY.  

“It is tough, but we are getting through week by week, and we are trying our best.”

Miller added he is “grateful” to be picked every week and hopes to play his role as best as he can.

“It is really good, I’m in my eighth year now and I have only played 59 games, but I love every game that I play out there,” Miller said.

“You know Nick Vlastuin has played 250 and Broady (Nathan Broad) and all that have played 150, I’m grateful that I get picked every week, and I’m just trying to keep my spot week by week."

Despite only winning three games at the midway point of the season, Miller takes confidence in the direction the Club is heading.

“We have turned over a new leaf, and we come in every week trying to win,” Miller said.

“We had a really good pre-season this year, but unfortunately, we haven’t got as many wins on the board. I think we left a few out there in a few close games.

“Hopefully, we can play four-quarter efforts, and we might get a few more over the line for the rest of the year.”

Miller has proved to be a strong force in the backline, and credited Adem Yze and ruck coach Ivan Maric for helping him in his development.

“Yze has obviously come in and is trying to find his way with a new game plan that he is trying to implement for us, but I’m sure he is on the right path,” Miller said.  

“I’ve had a fair bit to do with Ivan Maric, especially in my first year.

“I had him throughout the ruck roll when I played a little bit of ruck over the last eight years, and he is a great guy who supports me through anything, especially off the field as well.”

Miller is confident the Tigers can produce more consistent performances through the second half of the year. 

“I think it’s more about getting those four quarters of consistency, at the moment, and I think we have fallen short in one or two quarters throughout the game and that has really hurt us,” Miller said.

“Teams are either getting back in the game or getting that lead that is just a little bit too far out that we can’t chase down, so at the moment our main focus is getting four quarters together.”