Every year, only a handful of bottom-agers earn selection in Vic Metro's Under-18 National Championships squad.
Fewer still are named in the All Australian side.
Yet that's exactly what Jake Miller has done.
Despite missing the last match of the four-game championships, he finished with carnival-high nine contested marks. Had he played the last game of the carnival against Vic Country on Sunday, he may have even been a sniff for the prestigious Larke Medal for the best performed player in the championships.
He averaged two goals, nine marks and 13 disposals through the carnival.
“His one-on-one marking whether that's on a lead or standing under a high ball, he's got no issue and he's got a high footy IQ which makes him hard to defend,” Western Jets talent lead Reuben William said of Miller earlier in the year.
“He's a good leader among our group and he's reaping the benefits of his hard work.”
Miller's consistent body of work over the past 12 months, has him as one of the favourite's to be selected by Tassie at the season's conclusion.
The Devils can sign up to 12 17-year-olds across this year and next year ahead of their entrance to the competition in 2028.
But Miller's not looking for headlines.
Instead, the Brighton Grammar and Western Jets prospect is already proving he belongs against players a year older, as Tasmania track him ahead of their inaugural list build.
"It's a privilege to get the opportunity as a bottom-ager to even play a game," Miller told Zero Hanger.
"So for me to play a few has been unreal."
The performances may have surprised plenty.
Miller says they've been built on something far less glamorous.
Questions.
Whether it's Vic Metro forwards coach and Collingwood premiership forward Travis Cloke, AFL great Anthony Rocca or Victorian Talent Manager Chris Liberatore, the teenager has developed a habit of absorbing as much knowledge as he can.
"I feel like it's been down to just leaning on those people in the system," he said.
"All those people have been great. Obviously Travis Cloke — he probably gets annoyed at me because I always ask a lot of questions.”
That willingness to learn has helped smooth what could have been an intimidating transition.
Miller was rotated out of the Vic Metro side for the last game to allow for other key forwards to step up to the champs and gain exposure, but by then he had already made his presence known.
Stepping from Brighton Grammar and the Western Jets into the National Championships meant bigger crowds, stronger opponents and a faster game. Rather than overwhelmed, Miller embraced the challenge.
"It's a bit of balance," he said.
"It's the place to get to work, it's time to focus in. But it's also that side of have fun and enjoy the moment.
"It's been a big step up for me from Brighton and Jets to come to this level, but I feel like I've matched the level quite well."
Strong performances inevitably bring attention.
As his name begins appearing in draft conversations and speculation grows around Tasmania's long-term interest, Miller has learnt the importance of controlling what he can.
"I've got a great support network — my family and friends that help me," he said.
"But I feel like it's just trying not to read into a lot of things.
"For me, it's just putting pressure on myself to perform well and going back to the basics. Just play footy, have fun and don't worry about any other distractions outside of footy.
"Because you're not going to get these moments too often."
That mindset hasn't always come naturally.
Earlier this season, Miller admits quiet patches would sometimes see him drift mentally from games instead of finding other ways to contribute. It's a lesson that's reshaped the way he approaches football.
"There were games early on in the year where I kind of just went away from the team," he said.
"And I feel like that isn't me.
"I don't need a lot of moments, but I just need a few patches in the game where I can get a couple of goal assists or get people involved."
It's a mature outlook for a player still 18 months away from his draft year.
Rather than judging his impact purely through goals, Miller has developed an appreciation for the little things that help teams win.
"You have those dark days where you start to complain and don't want to work," he said.
"But I've got a trigger of just keep working and keep working hard.
"I know I'll work my opponent into the ground at the end of the day.
"And if I know it's not my day, I can help the boys around me, put on little blocks, help the team."
Much of that confidence stems from regularly playing against bigger bodies.
"Playing against 18-year-olds that are bigger bodies and can push me around a little bit more than my age has been a really big and important thing for me," he said.
"I feel like I needed that to kind of wake me up. Here's the actual level you're going to be at.
He's equally quick to credit Brighton's coaching staff, particularly Melbourne's Jake Melksham, for refining the finer details of his craft.
"It's the little things I can improve on," Miller said.
"Jake's rapidly improved a lot of my positioning and my footwork.
"It's always short and sharp, and it always improves things."
Those lessons have translated directly onto the field.
After prioritising endurance across the off-season, Miller has embraced a role that allows him to use his running power to influence games higher up the ground.
"My off-season kind of set me up to play that style," he said.
"I gave myself the best opportunity to get really fit, and that's what I want to base my game off.
"I can use that big ground to my advantage and just run my opponent into the ground."
The goals have come.
So has the attention.
Tasmania is watching, recruiters are beginning to take notice and expectations will only continue to grow over the next 18 months.
But Miller isn't chasing headlines.
He's still asking questions. Still searching for ways to improve. Still embracing the opportunity to test himself against the country's best.
For one of Australia's premier bottom-age prospects, it's proving to be a pretty good formula.
2026 Under-18s All Australian side
B: Archie Spencer, Mitch Harris, Billy Wigmore
HB: Caylen Murray, Tyson Bradley, Heath Mellody (C)
C: George Gale, Cody Walker, Jordan Knapp
HF: Gus Teixeira, Jake Miller, Harvie Cooke
F: Harry Van Hattum, Jack Slattery, Anthony Long
Followers: Benji Van Rooyen, Ethan Drever, Leo Steed
IC: Arki Butler, Kodah Edwards, Jake Eime, Albert MacGowan, Clancy Snell
