Cronulla Sharks to bring NRL game to Coffs Harbour with Lachlan Miller
Coffs Harbour rugby league star Lachlan Miller will return home with the Cronulla Sharks to the Ce.x Stadium next year. Read why it’s so special for him.
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Coffs Harbour’s homegrown NRL star Lachlan ‘Lachie’ Miller has just come away from his debut season, with the Cronulla Sharks who finished second only to the imperious Penrith Panthers on the regular season ladder.
Sharpening his teeth through the Coffs Comets, Sawtell Panthers and eventually earning a spot in the Australian Olympic Rugby Sevens squad, Miller said on Wednesday, October 26, he was thrilled to be back on home turf.
“It’s surreal to come back and play for the Sharks,” Miller, 28, said.
This follows the announcement this week by the NSW government that the Sharks will return to the Ce.x International Stadium to play another home NRL game in 2023.
“I think I play better in Coffs Harbour - there’s less pressure on me and I have my family and friends that I grew up with watching me,” he said.
Miller’s breakout into the NRL wasn’t easy - having toiled between league and union before finding a home with the Sharks.
He said more pathways could be implemented to assist talented youth.
“When I was younger, Coffs didn’t have anything like this, but it would be nice to see a scouting or development program for the NRL,” Miller said.
He was initially scouted as a union player through a tournament in Coffs Harbour, relishing the rare opportunity.
A smaller player growing up, Miller added strength and said he had to adapt to return to rugby league, where he now plays as a halfback or fullback.
“I had to get used to the tackling and wrestling side of it, but after a pre-season with the group I felt ready for the first matchweek,” he said.
Miller said the Sharks fixture in Coffs Harbour and involvement with the local community was a positive initiative that can encourage young guns striving to make it to the top.
He said there is an abundance of homegrown talent, particularly within union, noting the U18 Australian Schoolboys team was a springboard for development.
Miller is hopeful local talent in Coffs will see his impressive progression into a runners up NRL team as motivation.
“I never stopped trying and believing,” Miller said.
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