GOLD COAST youngster Touk Miller says he's looking forward to the opportunity of stepping up in the midfield amid the club's injury crisis.

The 20-year-old says he and other less experienced Suns are ready cover the loss of skipper Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia and Michael Rischitelli.

"You don't want to have a lack of confidence in yourself, especially when you do have some troops out because it gives us an opportunity to step up," Miller told AFL.com.au.

'It gives Jesse Lonergan, Aaron Hall, Mitch Hallahan and myself a chance to make our mark in the midfield.

"All of us young guys all try to be leaders, and I'm in the emerging leaders group and it's an attribute I really want to build at the club."

Those young Suns will need to do it against one the AFL's best midfield units, with the Western Bulldogs leading the League in disposals and contested footy.

Miller said Saturday night's clash in Cairns will be a perfect opportunity to test themselves against another young group of on-ballers featuring Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae.

"We know they're big on hard ball gets and contested possession, and then they move the ball really quickly," he said.

"We know what we have to do to counteract that, so we'll put a lot of pressure on them and hopefully get a few turnovers."

An ankle injury stymied the beginning of Miller's 2016 campaign, but a best afield performance in the QClash win over the Brisbane Lions was timely reminder of what the former Vic Metro captain is capable of at senior level.

"I was a bit disappointed with how my season started because I had a niggling ankle injury and went in and out of the side with it," Miller said.

"I was really happy to finally have a decent game and hopefully I can finish off the season like that.

'It was a good game, but I've got to back it up."

His effort of 27 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal was rewarded with the Marcus Ashcroft medal, but teammate Peter Wright thought he might have been a more worthy recipient after a five goal haul in just his 20th game.

By taking their friendly rivalry to the next level, Miller cheekily hung the award on his best mate's bedroom door.

"Peter reckons he should have won the medal, but I just [like] reminding him he didn't," Miller said.

"We try to look after each other, but when the opportunity arises to have a laugh at each other's expense we take it."

While he's living miles away from his family home in Melbourne, the avid surfer is enjoying having some of the world's best waves at his doorstep.

While that early season injury didn't allow him to catch as many waves as he would have liked, he filled his spare time shaping his own boards and indulging in his other love of music production.

So don't expect Miller to heading back to the cold of his hometown any time soon.

"The surf is in my backyard, the weather is great and I'm doing my dream job of being an AFL footballer, so I'm loving it up here on the Gold Coast," he said.

'Earlier in the year I got to shape my own board at one of the local surf shops and they gave me heaps of tips.

"For the music production, I've got a whole studio set up, so I'm just waiting for some time off to get stuck right into it.

"I'll probably go to university in a year or so to do a bit more, but I'm concentrating on footy first."