By JARROD POTTER
A GENTLE nudge towards the midfield paid off for Dandenong Thunder’s literal rising star Matt Millar.
Millar, 18, from Pearcedale, was named the inaugural National Premier Leagues Victoria (NPL) Rising Star at the NPL Gold Medal awards night last week after a sensational year through the Thunder midfield.
His move into the centre was only given the go-ahead by Thunder coach Dean Hennessey this year and Millar relished his chance to broaden his skills away from the last line of defence.
“It’s very, very humbling to know that I’ve won this award and I’m really grateful for it,” Millar said.
“Coming into the season I was considered as a fullback… Deano (Dean Hennessey), the coach at Thunder, saw bigger things for me and pushed me up the ground some more… it gave me a lot more freedom.
“The move gave me more of an attacking presence and I got on the scoresheet as well.”
The year was not ideal for Dandenong – finishing ninth in the 14-team competition – but Millar appreciated the step-up in competition and thought it was a big improvement on the Victorian Premier League model.
“I definitely thought it was a lot more structured and a lot more professional,” Millar said.
“With Dandy – being there the year before – we brought in a lot of technical directors like Stuart Munro and coaches and we had a good, young squad and I think those were definitely good things heading across to the NPL model.”
With seven goals and a number of starring performances – including his impressive solo-run from defence to the match-winning goal against Green Gully – Millar earned 17 votes in the NPL Gold Medal count to finish just off the pace of winner Milos Lujic (24 votes).
His busy year also included Schoolboys’ representation with School Sport Victoria and he will head to England early next year to represent School Sport Australia after starring at the championships held in New South Wales in August.
Millar has his VCE exams to keep him busy alongside his commitments playing for Melbourne City’s National Youth League (NYL) team this summer.
“Training a fair bit with the seniors and in with the (Melbourne City) seniors and being there with the Youth has been unreal and fairly full on as well, but enjoying it a lot,” Millar said.
“Hopefully just continue to seize the opportunity with the first team and put in some good performances with the Youth and go from there.”
