Miller has become one of Super League’s most thrilling attacking players since joining Rhinos from Newcastle Knights two years ago.
He was voted Rhinos’ fans’ player of the year and made more metres than anyone else in the top-flight last term, but – with a new long-term contract in his pocket – insists he hasn’t yet reached his peak.
The Australian former rugby union sevens Olympian admitted: “I was happier with how I went last year compared to the year before, but there were still a lot of things I wanted to work on, as well as my overall fitness.
“Not having a pre-season last year was hard. I think I did reasonably well, but there’s definitely a lot more to work on heading into this year. I am very excited, but I do want to take my game to the next level, if possible.”
A calf injury disrupted Miller’s build up to last season and meant he missed Rhinos’ opening five games, but there are no such worries this time.
“Pre-season has been really good, really enjoyable,” Miller stressed. “I think everyone’s quite fit and personally I am in a good place, definitely compared to this time last year.
“I am really looking forward to the rest of pre-season and our first game. Most people have been in and around the rehab facility at some stage in their career and it is pretty frustrating, you feel very isolated and don’t feel like you’re part of the team.
“That’s what I struggled with a bit last year, but it’s very good to be in with the team, doing the hard work and also those combinations we started to work on towards the end of last year. I think a full pre-season with those combinations is going to do us good.”
Injuries permitting, Leeds Rhinos will have a settled spine this year, with Miller at full-back, Brodie Croft in the stand-off role and Jake Connor – the reigning Man of Steel – playing scrum-half. “I thought last year we improved with each game we got to play together,” Miller reflected.
“I thought at stages we played really good footy and at stages we let our team down with our decision making, but we had a lot of last season together and a full pre-season and you pick up on little cues playing with each other, which you don’t get unless you spend time together.
“I think it will benefit us hugely and also Jake, having another season at seven. Last year was one of his first proper seasons at seven and he did what he did, so it is pretty exciting.
“We haven’t had a massive turnover of people, which helps. Everyone knows how Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] wants us to play and we’ve had a full year with that now.
“Everyone knows what’s expected and we’re enjoying our time at training. I think we are in a really good place at the moment.”
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