By Matt Findlay

Like most who reach a milestone Northern Suburbs’ Will Miller was quick to point out individual accolades aren’t why he plays the game, but he’s still stoked to make his 100th appearance for the Shoremen this weekend.

Although he’s still only 26 to a certain degree it does feel like Miller’s been around forever, but of course his rise to the Super Rugby ranks have limited his appearances for his beloved Norths in recent years.

Returning to the Shoremen’s side for the back end of 2019, Miller’s influence will no doubt play a huge role in Norths’ bid to, firstly, finish as high as they can on the table, and then their finals campaign too.

Miller’s milestone game comes in a whopping encounter too, with his side welcoming rampant competition leaders Warringah to North Sydney Oval on Saturday afternoon, and he admitted that does give it a touch more feeling.

“I was saying that to my brother last night actually, there’s probably no better club to play this kind of game against than Warringah,” Miller said, with his side having fallen to the emotionally-charged Rats in the 2017 grand final.

“It’s exciting, Norths have obviously done a lot for me over the years … the people there and the coaches have been great for me over the years and they obviously had a big impact on me going to the next level.

“Even once I got to Super Rugby they’ve still played a big role so I always love coming back and playing for Norths whenever I can.”

Miller will be presented his 100th cap by Norths stalwart and fourth grade halfback Dom Longhurst, who captained the club’s Henderson Cup side to the 2018 grand final and was the last of the Shoremen to crack a century.

“It’s nice to hit these milestones but it’s not why you play the game so I hope there’s not (any fanfare),” Miller laughed.

Norths sit third heading into Saturday’s 14th round and while they’re still a chance of claiming the minor premiership should things go there way, it’s not a focus.

“We don’t really talk about minor premierships or anything like that, being at the pointy end of that ladder at the end of the season is always ideal but i think it’s just about making sure we’re ready for those finals,” he said.

“Rats are a good side and have been for a number of years, I think it’s mainly about trying to stop their momentum more than anything but we’ll focus on what we’re doing rather than what they are.

“It’ll be a pretty good game I think, definitely a good way for us to see where we are as a side.”

In his eighth season with the Shoremen, Miller naturally pointed to Norths’ magical 2016 grand final win over Sydney University as his highlight.

“The premiership win was a special day,” he said.

“But outside that the highlight of my time at Norths is really all the mates I’ve made playing at Norths, they’re a great bunch of blokes, always have been.”

Miller and his Shoremen host Warringah from 3pm on Saturday afternoon, at North Sydney Oval.