Ben Miller is the quintessential “slow burn” in AFL football.

Picked up by Richmond at pick 67 in the 2017 national draft, Miller didn’t make his senior debut with the Club until the final home-and-away round of the 2021 season, against Hawthorn at the MCG, just 10 days before his 22nd birthday.

For the two years following that, Miller was tried as both a key defender and relief ruckman but couldn’t cement a permanent spot in the Tigers’ AFL team, playing just 11 games in 2022 and 13 in 2023.

Adem Yze’s arrival as Richmond’s coach at the end of the 2023 season marked a change of fortune for Miller.

Yze settled Miller into a key defensive post, and he has flourished since.

He played 21 games in the 2024 season and finished ninth in the Jack Dyer Medal.

This year, Miller has taken his game to an even higher level, averaging 12.2 disposals, 6.0 marks, 3.3 rebound-50s, 6.0 one-percenters, 5.0 intercepts and 245.9 metres gained per match.

He’s combined tight defence with attacking flair and his disposal by foot has been excellent.

I can’t recall Miller being decisively beaten by an opponent so far this season and he has become an integral member of the Tigers’ line-up.

In Saturday's match against St Kilda at the MCG, Miller produced another top-class defensive performance, finishing with 15 disposals, eight marks, three rebound-50s, an equal team-high seven intercepts, equal team-high seven one-percenters and 343 metres gained.

Three weeks away from his 26th birthday, and with 67 games under his belt (all 21 this season), Miller now is not only one of the most improved players in the competition, he’s one of the best key defenders going around.