Casey Cardinia league best and fairest winner Beau Miller from Tooradin gets a congratulatory kiss from his mother Debbie after snaring the award at Monday night’s vote count.Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Brad Kingsbury
CANCER was the loser as champion Tooradin footballer Beau Miller strode to the dais to accept the 2007 Casey Cardinia league best and fairest award on Monday night.
The 26-year-old midfielder underwent intensive radiation treatment to battle the life-threatening curse of eye cancer during October last year, and said the experience had changed his outlook on life.
“A lot of things were put back into perspective and this award means a fair bit to me,” he said.
“It makes you appreciate the small things that happen much more.
“Football meant so much more to me this year just because I was able to get out there and play.
“It was like I was 21 again,” he smiled.
The former Springvale Scorpions star has battled serious injuries, including a ruptured spleen, broken wrist and torn knee ligaments, over the past three seasons, but being told he had cancer was by far the worst shock.
“It was worrying. I thought, ‘what else could happen to me other than serious injury’ and then this came up,” he said.
Despite playing only a few games in 2006 due to his knee complaint, it was during one of those matches that he knew there was a problem.
“I’d been putting up with it for a while,” Beau said.
“Then one game last year, we were in a very dark room and I ran out on to the ground and it was sunny and it hit my eyes. That’s when I realised that something wasn’t right.
“I spoke to mum (Debbie) about it and she told me to see an optometrist.
“One thing led to another and from then it was a very fast process to get me into hospital and start the treatment.”
In typically low-key style, Beau and his family kept his battle private and went about doing what was required to fight the insidious disease.
“I had treatment in October last year, and at that point in time football was the last thing I was thinking about,” he said.
The intensive radiation treatment went over five days and then he was monitored closely afterwards before being given the nod to start training again.
“I’ve been having check-ups every three months since the treatment and that will last for years – probably the rest of my life,” Beau said.
“I just thrived on being out there with my mates once I recovered from all the therapy.
“I was back at training on the first day of pre-season and I suppose I was pretty determined to do well and enjoy my footy this year.”
Beau’s vision has been affected by the illness, but his ability and class as a footballer certainly have not.
He said playing in 2007 was a triumph in itself and the league award was a bonus.
“It’s all surreal at the moment,” he chuckled.
“I just wanted to get back to playing footy this year and we’ll let the future look after itself.
“My vision is still pretty poor out of one eye but I’m getting used to it.”
Beau played every game of the season except one and said the award was a real buzz given he was not expecting to poll as well as he did.
“I came along with the (Tooradin) boys for a beer and just to be together,” he said.
“When the vote was on I was surprised that I was right up there, but it’s great and I’m really stoked,” he said.
