Gryan Miers was long odds to line up in the first game of the season, let alone play 25 consecutive games and secure a fifth-placed NAB AFL Rising Star finish.

The crafty goal-sneak excelled and overdelivered on any expectations placed on him in 2019, demonstrating his potential to be a long-term forward fixture in Geelong.

Twenty-eight goals from a first season of football at the top level is a strong performance by anyone’s standards and the Cats will be hoping he can elevate his game yet again in 2020.

While Miers’ effort did come as somewhat of a surprise to many after plying his craft solely at VFL level in 2018, the small forward has a proven track record of kicking goals at all levels of football.

Miers kicked 20 goals in 20 VFL games after being taken at pick 57 in the 2017 National Draft, on the back of a 50-goal TAC Cup season for the Geelong Falcons.

Game-Breaking Performance

As the Cats dismantled the Tigers in Round 12 at the MCG, Gryan Miers sparkled.

Miers snapped his way to three goals, one of three such efforts for the season, while also finding the ball 21 times on the night.

 Standout Moment

Miers first goal at the top level made everybody stand up and take notice.

With the Cats receiving a visit from the Demons in Round Two and trailing by a goal early, Miers dipped and weaved through traffic to boot his first goal in a sign of things to come.

 The Quote

“He works really hard at is game and his pre-season was outstanding – that’s half the reason why we gave him a chance early in the season.”

Corey Enright highlighted Miers’ workrate and aerobic base as a skill which helps set him apart from small forwards around the league.

Miers returned to the club in top condition in 2019, recording a personal best result in the club’s 1.2km shuttle run alongside Mark O’Connor and Charlie Constable.

Stats File

Miers made his presence felt around the front half in 2019, finishing fifth league-wide in forward 50 groundball gets.

Only Ablett, Petracca, Betts and Cameron recorded more for the year – some elite company for the young star.

Ideal Locker Buddy

If there’s one man Gryan Miers can learn off, it’s the Little Master.

With one more season to play in Ablett’s glittering career, Miers has another opportunity to take in the subtle tricks and tendencies that make him so great.

Miers spoke about how much playing alongside Ablett helped earlier this year.

“It’s magnificent. His possessions are always so valuable and he always hits the target and he’s such a good leader out there,” he said.

“He’s one of the most valuable players in the league and he leads by example and he also leads really well and sets us up.”