AFTER being reinstated to Melbourne's leadership group, winning the club's goalkicking and placing equal sixth the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy, it's fair to say key forward Brad Miller had his best AFL season in 2008. 

His seventh year produced some very good performances, including a four-goal haul against Brisbane Lions in round 14 that was pivotal in one of three Melbourne wins last year. 

Miller had battled niggling injuries in recent seasons and also dealt with his share of critics. Still, one key person had faith Miller, as he explains.

"When [coach] Dean [Bailey] came to the club, it just felt like I was at a new place. There was a new environment and a lot of the footy department had changed over, so it felt like I was at a new club," Miller told melbournefc.com.au.

"So without being traded, I still had all of my same mates, but the coaching staff was new and it felt like they had confidence in me, so it felt like a fresh start.

"I had frank discussions with Dean in October 2007 and out of that discussion, he said he believed in me and thought I had a lot of improving to do."

Miller said Melbourne's disappointing 2008 season also helped his cause.

"Because we were having a rough trot with the team last year, it diverted a lot of the focus off myself, which I think helped," he added.

"I also focused more on team than myself individually, which internally, without even thinking about it, helped my performance. That was the main lesson I took out of last year. I'll take the experience out of what I learned last year and use it this year."

Miller's said his form last season made him feel he belonged in the leadership group.

"Deep down, I've shown the qualities of a leader, but I didn't quite believe I could be one," he said. "It wasn't until I had a good, consistent year that I thought I could be a leader within a group.

"Last year really helped and it's just really grown again this year. We got the same core guys in the leadership group and we've matured together after going through some pretty rough times. Now I can only see that being a positive, having been through those times."

He also knew he had to step-up again this year with some club greats departing. 

"Because there was a group of guys like Jeff White, Adem Yze and David Neitz, who have been fantastic players for so long … when they step out, you've got no choice, as an older guy, to fill in one that role that they played," Miller said.

"These younger guys naturally look up to the older guys in the team and with that void and because you're in the next most experienced group, you've got no choice than to fill that role."

As for 2009, Miller says he will form a partnership with Matthew Bate and Michael Newton as the key forwards. He expects to mix his time between playing up high and deep in attack.

"What we've been working on over the summer is knowing each role in the forward line pretty well, so we can play in one of those six spots," Miller said.

"I've been pretty lucky, I've only missed a couple of sessions and I haven't had any major injuries, so I'm feeling pretty good and pretty strong from training hard."