WA football icon Ian ‘Serge’ Miller sadly dies aged 76: ‘King of men’

Tributes are flowing for much-loved football icon Ian ‘Serge’ Miller, who has sadly died at the age of 76.

Miller is a legend of football in the west, a former Sandover medallist and more recently a player services coordinator at the West Coast Eagles, where he endeared himself to many stars who thought of him as a second father.

After winning the Sandover in 1972, Miller headed to Victoria to play for Fitzroy in the then VFL/AFL, managing 80 games for the Lions between 1974-1977 before heading back to WA to play for East Perth.

In his first year at East Perth, he immediately powered them to a thrilling premiership victory, where sizzled in the grand final to claim the Simpson Medal for best on ground.

Miller is in Perth’s Team of the Century (named on the half-forward flank) and in 2008 he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame.

He played 276 games across his three clubs and had a profound impact on all of them.

But his role at West Coast was also significant and he became a life member of the Eagles in 2012.

West Coast premiership defender Will Schofield said Miller’s death was “incredibly sad”, and called him a “father figure” to many players.

“Especially interstate draftees, and if you could describe a great human being, Serge would be right at the top of the list,” Schofield said.

“I felt instantly compelled to share my love for him, someone who potentially had the greatest influence on the West Coast Eagles in their entire existence.

“He has a footy accomplishments list below that would rival any, but his greatest achievement in my eyes was as player services co-ordinator and father figure to new draftees to the football club between 2002 and 2019.

“His selflessness, care and compassion - always with a smile on his face - was something I will never forget. Incredibly kind, he really felt like a father, which for interstate draftees he was, given our families were on the other side of the country.”

“I loved him .... He was the first person who called from the club when I lost Dad. Was the man from the club with Niz at his funeral. First to call when I lost my brother, Jase. Stayed in touch with my family during and after my career,” Schofield said.

“A sad day, to lose a man like Serge. They don’t make them like him any more and I am deeply saddened to lose him and our hearts are with wife Robyn and the rest of his beautiful family.