The 2012 premiership defender made her first appearance for the Hawks in nearly seven years, after making a return to the club this pre-season.

It was a welcome sight for Eaglehawk joint coaches Mali Roberts and Allira Holmes, who have pegged Miller as a key and experienced component in their defence, as the club strives to take the step from back-to-back finalists to premiership contender.

Miller, who stepped away from the game following the Hawks' 2012 flag win to give birth to her and husband Henry's three children - Sam, 4, Annabel, 2, and Ted, 1 - says she is rapt to be back at Eaglehawk.

When she says the club is 'unrecognisable' to the one she left, it's not in reference to the buildings and facilities at Canterbury Park, which have undergone massive redevelopments in recent seasons.

"Even the dynamics from where I am at with my life have remarkably changed - when I was playing there with all my best friends, we were the same age and did everything together," she said.

"Now I'm a good 12 years older than a lot of the girls there. The dynamics have changed, but it's a different time in netball for me.

"I'm seeing myself as an old dog learning new tricks from these young ones and Mali and Allira, who are just amazing with how they go about it."

Eaglehawk will always hold a special place in the Millers' heart.

"I met Henry in 2007 at Eaglehawk, so we have a lot of history there - we met a lot of our best friends there," Lauren said.

"Some of those boys are still there, the likes of Jared Reilly and Aiden Metcalf, so Henry was keen to come back in (to Eaglehawk).

"Of course I was keen to keep playing, so I got in contact with Mali and before you knew it I was back."

Miller wasn't exactly idle from netball in her six seasons away from Eaglehawk. She spent two seasons at Loddon Valley club Calivil United in 2015 and '18.

Despite her stellar on-court efforts, those two seasons both ended short of premiership success, with the Demons beaten by two goals by Pyramid Hill in 2015, and Bridgewater last season by nine goals.

Her previous premiership successes include a flag with Charlton in 2009, the same year Henry played in one with the Blues senior football team.

Miller is looking forward to developing a strong on-court bond with playing coach Holmes, who crossed to Canterbury Park at the end of last season from Golden Square, and also plays in defence.

"Allira wasn't playing at Golden Square back when I was at Eaglehawk, but going and watching over the years, I knew who she was and how good she is," she said.

"She's an amazing player. We will have a bit of experience this year down the defensive end."

The dependable defender, who turned 35 this month, sees her return to the Hawks as no short-term move.

"I've set a goal to try and play until I am 40," Miller said.

"The reason Henry and I are still playing is we want our kids to see us playing and remember us playing - and hopefully they will end up playing."

While disappointed to have missed the Hawks' season opener, Miller described her injury as a small setback.

"Pre-season was one of the best and most professional I have ever been a part of," she said.

"I knew I had to work hard to keep up with the young ones, so I was really keen to be there for the start.

"But hopefully I build up a good fitness base."

She will get no greater test, with the Hawks scheduled to play back-to-back premiers Sandhurst at Canterbury Park on Saturday.

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