Melbourne City defender Alec Mills thanks Murray United for helping him reach the top level

Mills made his debut for the A-League champions as a substitute last season but wants to force himself into Patrick Kisnorbo's starting XI.

The former Murray United defender started pre-season with City this week.

"This year I want to start multiple games and I think I'm very close," Mills said.

"It's daunting at times but I've come this far and I don't want to throw it away.

"I've worked this hard, I'm so close and if I do start games, I'm a professional footballer, which is what I've been looking up to my whole life.

"The main thing the coaches have told me is that I need to be more physical, which I completely understand.

"At times I'm not, at times I am but as a defender, you really need to be a defender first so that's my main goal for this year and next year.

"They've told me I've got all the basic skills, that I can pass the ball and my ball range is unbelievable so defending is my key goal."

Mills has spent the last few weeks with his family in the North East and the time away from Melbourne has done him good.

"In the last two years, I've had less than two months off so it's been very full-on," he revealed.

"I train with the A-League squad on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and I play NPL on Saturday so that's my cycle for the year.

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"When the A-League are off, I'm back training NPL. It has been difficult but I'm the lucky one who isn't studying at the moment. I've just been focusing on soccer, which has helped.

"I'm a country boy at heart so I love going camping, fishing, taking the jet ski out and motorbike riding. I love the freedom I have up here."

Mills dropped in to help at Murray United training during his stay on the Border.

"It was important to give something back to the next generation of young players," he said. "I was having a run with the younger kids, which I really enjoyed.

"The coaching staff here helped me so much and if Murray United hadn't played against Melbourne City, I definitely wouldn't be where I am today."

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