JETS coach Carl Robinson wouldn't swap Matt Millar for any wingback in the A-League.
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Millar was a finalist for the A-League Young Player of the Year award which was taken out on Thursday by Adelaide midfielder and former Jet Riley McGree.
Recently turned 24, Millar netted four goals and supplied theee assists before a hamstring injury forced him out of the final two games - wins over Western United (1-0) and Wellington (3-0).
Though happy with Millar's contribution, Robinson is more excited about what the flyer can produce in the future.
"He has all the attributes you want in a right wingback," Robinson said. "From a physical aspect, he is a beast. He can run all day and gets himself into such good positions. He will kick on. He can still give us another 15 to 20 per cent.
"I wouldn't swap him. Rhyan Grant is a very, very good player. I think he and Matty are the best two right backs in the league. I'm really happy with his progression and it is going to be a big year for him next year."
It was the second straight season that Millar has been nominated for the best player aged 23 or under in the league. He burst on to the scene for the Mariners in 2018-19, providing a goal and seven assists in a team that had the worst attacking record by a street.
Before joining the Mariners, Millar was South Melbourne's Rising Star (under-21 player of the year) three years in a row.
"I'm not sure how long you can be a rising star for but it's always nice to be nominated for anything," Millar said. "Looking back, I was a late developer. I only came onto the A-League scene last year. I really enjoy the environment and think I have a lot of potential. It will be interesting to see what level I can get to in another 12 months, especially with a coach like Carl. I just really want to keep improving and getting better."
Robinson and Millar have already targeted areas for the wingback to work on ahead of next season.
"When you break it down, technically and tactically there are areas he has to improve," the coach said. "He gets himself into such good positions. Where I need to work with him is on his final-third play. That is decision making, whether to cross or shoot. There is also the defending side ... these are tactical things we can do in 10 weeks. The good thing about Matty is that he wants to learn, he always wants to do extras."
Millar wishes he was training rather than on holidays.
"I'm a bit over it already, to be honest," he said of the break between seasons. "I am sitting at home wishing I was playing or training. Hopefully, it is a January start.
Key for Millar when they do assemble for preseason training will be developing better combinations.
"I'm getting in behind defences and getting in really good positions but my conversion rate is not where it needs to be," he said. "If we scored every time I got in there I would have triple the amount of scoring involvements. That is a massive thing and comes down to understanding the strikers."
; where they are going to make their run, what ball to choose and where to play the ball."
"Already in a short time with Carl, Roy and I have developed a better understanding. After the Central Coast game (nil-all draw in round 25), we watched the video back and I said far out, I should have played that earlier. Looking at the video it is so obvious. If I play the ball early into the six yard box, Roy is going to make that run."
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