The injury is a massive blow to the side’s finals hopes for this season, after a solid pre-season had the club feeling positive about its chances.

Miller said he expects to miss at least two months of football.

“There is no need for surgery,” he said.

“The bone is still intact so it is plastered up and that’s all that needs to be done. If there’s a positive to be taken out of this it’s that it’s not as bad as the last time.”

It is a similar break to the one Miller had two years ago.

“The situation was exactly the same as last time,” he said.

“I was tackled and had no where to go and unfortunately broke the leg.

“I knew that I had done some serious damage just by the pain and the noise that I heard. I didn’t want to believe it so I tried to put my footy boot back on and put some weight on it, but then I realised it was something serious and I had to get in an ambulance and get it seen to. I just didn’t want to come to the realisation. 

“On a personal note it’s shattering to be missing footy when you love it as much as I do. Physical contact is just part of the sport we play.”

Miller played during the off-season with Waratah in the Northern Territory and said he was in great form coming into the Horsham District season.

“From being the fittest I’ve ever been coming into a season to breaking my leg in round one, it’s a kick in the guts but it gives me extra motivation to come back and prove that I’m a handy footballer,” he said.

Miller said he would put all of his focus into coaching from the sidelines.

“It gives me an opportunity to focus more on the team and not my game,” he said.

“I can put my whole effort into coaching and focus more on the coaching aspect of things.

“I’m still mobile on crutches and still 100% committed to coaching. I will be coaching on the sidelines until my rehab is done. 

“It’s going to be interesting to see the game from a different perspective. I’m hoping I can nut out our structures a bit better. Hopefully we can really work on that and get the fine print happening and play some more structured football.”

Miller said he hopes to return to playing football this season, and said a positive was that his side has three byes between now and the long weekend in June.

“I’m definitely a chance to play again this season,” he said.

“I’m determined and I will do my very best to get out there as soon as possible. I’ll do all my rehab properly and go the extra mile to make sure I can come back.”

Miller said no single player will be expected to take his position in the middle of the park.

“We will look to our young side with plenty of rotations,” he said.

“It will give some young blokes the opportunity to step up. It won’t be anyone in particular replacing me, but a lot of guys going through the midfield, which will hopefully fast track their progression.”