The 23-year-old played one of his best games for the club on Sunday against St Kilda, after being given the arduous task of tracking white-hot Saint Nick Dal Santo for four quarters.
Not only did Stiller keep the Brownlow Medal fancy to a season-low 19 possessions, he laid 12 tackles of his own to be one of the Lions’ best in the 16-point loss.
It continued a new leaf for the former rookie-listed player, who has added a tagging ‘inside’ element to his game to go with the wide-running ‘outside’ version seen in most of his 53 senior games.
Stiller said Voss had told him in pre-season discussions that he needed to increase his versatility to continue helping the team.
“It’s been good this year. I’ve been moved around a lot more, sometimes on the outside, and sometimes inside,” Stiller said.
“I like it, it keeps it fresh, you really have to concentrate.
“I’ve done it (tag) a few times now. I played half a game on Scott Thompson as well. I don’t mind the job. It’s all about everyone playing their role and helping the team win, that’s what it’s all about.”
Stiller said he was always slated for a run-with or tagging role against the Saints although the decision on just who he’d get was a late one.
He said his high tackle count against the Saints had arisen from opportunity, more than a particular mindset and it reinforced the hard work he’d done in the gym over the past three seasons.
“I’ve played a lot of my footy on the outside and you don’t get many opportunities to tackle out there, but playing on Dal Santo you’re in-and-under and get more opportunities to do that,” he said.
“Running is something I can do; running out quarters strongly and running on top of the ground at the end of the game is something I can bring to the team.
“But in saying that, I need to add things to my game and over the years I’ve been working on my strength. You can’t just run with blokes all day, you have to show strength when you’re playing inside and I think that’s improving.”
After making his debut in 2006, Stiller played 33 successive games from the end of that season and into 2007, before being in and out of the senior team in 2008.
His mix of roles this year has caused his possession count to drop to 15 touches a game, but his value to the team has increased with the extra responsibility.
But talk to Stiller and he’s all about team success.
“You never want to get complacent with your spot in the team, but I’m confident if I do my job, I’ll get a game next week,” he said.
“It’s been good, we’ve been winning and it’s about everyone playing their role and doing their job and I feel I’ve contributed and that’s the main thing.”
