PLAYING for Port Adelaide for the first time at the weekend was more special for Miller Carter than most.
Carter’s dad Stephen Carter was a rugged no-nonsense defender for Port Adelaide during the 1990s.
He played 172 games for the Magpies and 10 for the Power, winning five SANFL premierships.
Miller doesn’t remember seeing his father play for the club and his dad isn’t one to brag but the record stands for itself.
“I can’t remember Dad playing, other than when he played at the local level,” Miller told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I’ve seen a few videos of him playing and I’ve heard stories from other people but he doesn’t say a lot.
“He just brushes things under the covers and keeps it to himself.”
Now Miller is forging his own path at the club, having been named as one of its SANFL contracted players.
The former Woodville-West Torrens junior most recently played for Port District with fellow SANFL contracted player Tom Corcoran, but after rediscovering his love for the game, is out to try replicate his father’s success at Alberton.
“I was originally at the Eagles until the end of Under 18s, then went back and played a couple of years at my local club at Port District,” Carter explained.
“I played my first full season of A-Grade and spoke to my coach who had some contact with (SANFL manager Shane Grimm) Grimmy and we asked if I could come out and have a look.
“I wasn’t really enjoying the game at the Eagles and I felt like I lost the passion a bit.
“I was happy to get back to Districts and play with my mates and get the love back for it.”
Carter got his first taste of the action against Adelaide in a SANFL practice game last Saturday.
He played primarily on the wing but he can also play a role at half forward or half back.
While he is still getting to know his new teammates, including the non-AFL selected players he met for the first time on Saturday, Carter is enjoying the experience.
“It’s really professional and everyone knows what they’re doing,” he said.
“The AFL boys are good with the structures and have been helping me out when I’m on the ground.”
Given the family history, Carter is lapping up every moment at Alberton.
Saturday’s trial game was special and he cannot wait to don the prison bars when the SANFL season starts next month.
“It definitely means a lot to me to play for the club, with my Dad’s time here and my whole family loving the club,” Carter said.
“We’ve been Port all my life and there’s a bit of history there.
“I love the club, it’s a great place and there’s a really good energy about the club at the moment so I’m really happy to be part of it.”
And it sounds like his dad is pretty proud too.
“He’s happy that I’m here and I get another opportunity to have a crack,” Carter said.
“More than anything he’s happy that I’m enjoying my footy again.”
And there is another Carter waiting in the wings. Miller’s younger brother Hunter has been part of the club’s Next Generation Academy since he was 12.
