Since he arrived at Metricon Stadium at the end of 2014, Touk Miller has spoken openly about his desire to become one of the AFL’s elite midfielders.

The former Vic Metro captain took big steps towards that goal in the back half of 2016 with some impressive games in the engine room, including a career-high 39 disposals against Essendon in round 21.

Entering his third year at the top level, Miller admits he still has a lot of work to do before getting to the same echelon as the likes of the departed Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara and SUNS captain and dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett.

“I think there is still a lot to be done. Filling shoes like Dion, like Jaeger, even Gaz himself,” Miller told reporters at Metricon Stadium on Monday.

“The fact they’re so elite in so many categories and so many parts of the game is probably what I need to step up into.

“Obviously building on my tank, getting seasoned legs, a big pre-season, my third one. I think my inside work’s probably got to improve with bigger bodies and then also my skill work as well.

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“A lot of things to improve but I’m striving for that and looking forward to it.”

With the departures of Prestia and O’Meara, Miller expects the extra load to fall on the wider midfield group and believes Rodney Eade has the right cattle at his disposal to fill that hole.

“I don’t know so much it’s on my shoulders exactly,” he said.

“Maybe the whole team and the whole midfield group to fill that hole, but I guess him leaving probably just creates an opportunity for myself and for a lot of other midfielders like Jesse Lonergan, Brayden Fiorini.

“He’s coming through the ranks which is really good. Big shoes to fill but they can definitely be filled with what we’ve got.”