NRL 2022: Kevin Walters maintains Brisbane Broncos made right call to axe Anthony Milford
Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes the club’s decision to cut Anthony Milford last year was the “right call” and has given the new Knights five-eighth the change he needed.
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Kevin Walters has backed the decision to axe Anthony Milford as the former Brisbane playmaker declared he wanted to sink the Broncos in his River City return.
Milford will run out at Suncorp Stadium in Newcastle colours on Saturday night to face the Broncos in Brisbane for the first time since being shown the door by the club.
It has been nearly a year since Milford made his 151st and final NRL appearance for the Broncos following a turbulent seven seasons at Red Hill.
Milford experienced a multitude of highs and lows during his rollercoaster relationship with the Broncos.
He was Brisbane’s best player in the 2015 grand final loss to North Queensland – his first year with the Broncos – and found himself dropped numerous times during his last season at the club.
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During that time Milford became the highest-paid player in Brisbane’s 34-year history with an infamous $4 million four-year contract that crushed him the longer it went on.
Now, he will run out at his Suncorp field of dreams for the 13th-placed Knights with little pressure on his shoulders looking to inflict Brisbane’s third straight defeat.
“It is going to feel a bit weird,” Milford said.
“It will be a strange feeling walking back into Suncorp and heading to the away sheds, but I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait to show what I can do. I would love to get a win.
“The move to Newcastle has been good for me. I had a slow-ish start because I hadn’t played NRL for a while.
“I haven’t been stoked with our performances, but on a personal note I am just glad to be back playing football again.”
The last three seasons have been the toughest of Milford’s career.
His form was on a slippery slope as the Broncos plunged to the 2020 wooden spoon and he failed to bounce back last year, prompting Walters to axe Milford in his first season as Brisbane coach.
After Walters made the decision not to offer Milford a contract extension, it was like a weight had lifted off his shoulders and the maligned five-eighth finished 2021 with a bang.
The Milford of old was suddenly back, with his dancing feet and freakish talent reappearing out of nowhere, prompting suggestions the Broncos should have retained him to partner incoming halfback Adam Reynolds.
Walters maintains it was the right decision to let Milford go and invest in rising star Ezra Mam.
“It was the right time for ‘Milf’ to go,” he said. “His last six weeks for us last year was very good, but I felt he needed a change and he has got that change with the Knights.
“I actually think he is playing quite well for Newcastle and I am quite happy for him that he is still playing in the NRL.
“I’m certainly aware of Milf’s ability and he can be a game-breaker for them this week. We are wary of his skills, so it’s important our guys are switched on for Milf and they take away his time and space which is the plan on Saturday night.”
With the burden of a $1 million salary hanging over his head, Milford became a beacon for criticism.
He no longer has that pressure at the Knights and admits he needed a change of scenery.
“I did cop a lot and I think this is the change I needed,” Milford said.
“The coaching staff at the Knights have been great and I have learned a lot from Adam O’Brien. I’ve really enjoyed the club and I can see the direction in which Adam and KP (Kalyn Ponga) are heading.
“I wouldn’t say it was hard to leave (the Broncos), there’s no hard feelings at all. I had been at the Broncos for so long and you build so many relationships and lifelong friends.
“The Broncos were like a family and I will always appreciate the opportunity they gave me to have some of the experiences I had.
“I played in a grand final at the Broncos. I had really good memories and to this day I keep in contact with quite a few of the Broncos guys, but this week I want to come back and show what I’ve got.”
At age 28, Milford is playing his 10th season in the NRL and has plenty of football left in him. He is an experienced playmaker with 203 NRL games and will join Redcliffe expansion club the Dolphins next year.
Milford’s best years at the Broncos came in 2015-17 before the burden of the richest contract in Brisbane’s history became too much for him.
A move to South Sydney this year collapsed when Milford found himself embroiled in a court case – of which most of the charges were later dropped – and he eventually debuted for the Knights in round 11, ironically against the Broncos.
Broncos football chief Ben Ikin also believes it was best Milford left Brisbane.
“I felt like Anthony needed a fresh start,” he said.
“I had those conversations with Anthony before I turned up at the Broncos. I just kind of felt that at some point, it doesn’t matter who you are – player, coach or administrator – rugby league has so much cut and thrust about it, that sometimes you can exhaust your capabilities over time at one organisation.
“The only thing left for you to do is to go somewhere else and freshen up in order to get back to your best. I reckon that’s where Milf was at.
“On the surface, thinking about what Milford brings and what Adam Reynolds brings, I’m sure they would have played some great football together, but it wasn’t to be and we knew exactly what Ezra Mam could bring if Milford left.
“As he found his way back into first grade last season, he finished the year well. He wouldn’t have been the first NRL player to go through a period of self-doubt and many Broncos players would have done some soul searching. Anthony wasn’t immune to that.
“Ultimately, he had periods when he wasn’t playing his best football, he would have asked why and I think he decided, like the rest of us, if he went to a new environment that he might rediscover his best football. I have seen some of that since he has arrived at the Knights.”
How Milf’s fall helped Mam rise to NRL challenge
-Peter Badel
Ezra Mam has revealed how Anthony Milford’s departure from the Broncos paved the way for his shock emergence in the NRL as the Brisbane teenager braces for a showdown with his former mentor on Saturday night.
Newcastle recruit Milford returns to Suncorp Stadium for the first time to face the club where he was once the Broncos’ golden boy in the No.6 jumper on Brisbane’s first $1 million-a-season contract.
Now Milford confronts another Broncos playmaking prodigy in Mam, the ultra-cool 19-year-old who has burst onto the top-grade scene this season, forging a slick halves partnership with Adam Reynolds.
Mam can see the irony in his scrumbase duel with Milford. With his fast feet and dynamic attacking style, not only does Mam resemble a young Milford ... it was a sliding doors moment involving ‘Milf’ that opened the door for his rise to NRL stardom.
Dropped to the Queensland Cup last year, Milford was sent back to train and play with Brisbane’s feeder club Souths Logan. But when Milford was recalled to the Broncos line-up after a late injury, Mam was called up from the Magpies Colts to make his Queensland Cup debut.
Then just 18, Mam finished his debut with a hat-trick against the Capras and, 12 months later, following Milford’s axing at the Broncos, here he is, ready for another duel with Brisbane’s former $1 million man.
The intertwining careers of Milford and Mam are compelling. When Mam made his NRL debut for the Broncos in May, his first opponent was Newcastle ... on the same night Milford was playing his maiden game for the Knights.
“Milf has been a good mentor for me,” Mam said.
“When he was back at Souths Logan, he helped me. I trained with him for a bit.
“He was actually the reason I got my Intrust Super Cup debut, he got called into the Broncos team at the last minute and that opened the door for me.”
There was a time when Milford was Brisbane’s anointed one at Red Hill.
He was the five-eighth whizkid tipped to lead the Broncos to the holy grail and Milford almost delivered on the expectation, going within a whisker of winning the Clive Churchill Medal in Brisbane’s extra-time grand-final loss to the Cowboys in 2015.
Milford played 151 games for the Broncos, mostly in the No.6 jumper Mam now occupies, but amid the moments of magic were seasons of inconsistency that convinced Brisbane bosses the club needed a fresh face at five-eighth.
Classy pivot Mam is the new kid on the block.
“Milford left for whatever reason he chose,” Mam said. “That opened up a door for all of us players who play in the halves at the Broncos.
“I was lucky enough to get my chance against the Knights in round 11 and I took it with both hands. I am grateful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to go up against Milf this weekend.”
Mam has played just 10 NRL games, but Broncos skipper Reynolds has seen enough to declare the indigenous ace will be a long-term playmaker at Brisbane.
“Ezra has been outstanding,” Reynolds said.
“He caught my eye early in the pre-season. That’s what got me excited. There’s a number of other young kids coming through but I have enjoyed working with a young playmaker like Ezra and helping him out.
“I think Ezra, long-term, can transition into the halfback role.
“Hopefully that’s where I can help him at the back end of my career.
“I can pass down a bit of knowledge and try and teach him things I learnt along the way that might help him become a seven if he wants to be that.”
While Mam possesses instinctive attacking brilliance, he punches above his weight in defence, smashing a number of 100kg-plus NRL forwards who have attempted to steamroll the smaller five-eighth.
Broncos football boss Ben Ikin, who played five-eighth in Brisbane’s 2000 premiership win, lauded Mam’s ability to step up in the post-Milford era.
“It’s been a big first season for Ezra,” Ikin said.
“He has done really well, he is clearly really talented and he has shown for a small playmaker, he is not afraid of putting his body in the way of the big guys.
“Your first season as a playmaker in the top grade is always hard because it’s not just about you, it’s about being part of a broader plan for the team and over the course of the season, he is learning off Adam Reynolds, learning how to play first grade
“He belongs because he is not rushed. Young playmakers who move quick and think quick can appear as though they are a bit flighty, but Ezra in life and football has a natural rhythm to everything he does.
“He is quick across the ground but he stays calm. Quality playmakers play with time, everything slows down when they have the ball in hand, and Ezra has that ability to play with time.”
Niu fighting to save career as Walters wields axe
Tesi Niu is fighting to save his career at the Broncos after the rising fullback was axed for Saturday night’s must-win clash against the Knights.
The Broncos’ two-game losing streak has produced casualties, with coach Kevin Walters dropping fullback Niu and teenage centre Deine Mariner as Brisbane look to officially seal a finals berth with victory over Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane’s first-choice fullback in pre-season, Niu has struggled with injuries but was recalled to the top grade a month ago after Te Maire Martin broke down against the Cowboys.
The 21-year-old produced the match of his life in his comeback against the Dragons last month, but an erratic past fortnight in losses to the Tigers and Roosters has prompted Walters to wield the axe.
Niu’s career at Red Hill is on shaky terrain.
Martin will start at fullback against the Knights and with Warriors whizkid Reece Walsh joining the Broncos next season as their No.1 custodian, Niu faces languishing in the Queensland Cup.
Niu, who turns 22 tomorrow, is contracted for next season but risks being on the outer if the Warriors-bound Martin finishes the season strongly before Walsh’s arrival in November.
The former Tongan international has shown some classy touches at fullback but has also committed a number of costly errors that have convinced Walters to relegate Niu.
Just a fortnight ago, Niu told News Corp he was up for the fight with Martin and Walsh for the Broncos fullback spot.
“I think competition is a good thing and I believe fullback is my best spot,” Niu said.
“It’s great Reece is coming back to the Broncos and whoever plays and trains best will get the fullback jumper.”
Former Melbourne premiership winner Brenko Lee replaces Mariner at left centre, while Walters believes Martin’s composure and experience at fullback can reinvigorate Brisbane on the eve of the finals.
It was Martin’s surprise blooding at fullback that ignited Brisbane’s mid-season surge, with the Broncos winning seven of nine games before the 26-year-old injured his ribs in last month’s loss to the Cowboys.
Now, with the Broncos teetering in seventh, Walters has issued an SOS for Martin, who has inked a three-year deal with the Warriors after being deemed surplus to requirements at Red Hill.
The Broncos had discussed a new contract for the former Cowboys pivot, only to shift their recruitment-and-retention radar, instead luring Warriors whizkid Reece Walsh home next season on a three-year deal that has squeezed Martin out of Brisbane.
Broncos football boss Ben Ikin defended the decision to allow the Warriors to poach Martin on a $1 million deal - just days before recalling the playmaker for the Knights showdown.
“There was certainly a plan for a period to keep Te Maire at the Broncos next season,” Ikin said.
“Then the Reece Walsh option was made available to us.
“On balance, with that opportunity (to sign Walsh), we looked at both guys.
“With Reece having been in our Broncos Academy and the longevity we believe he has in front of him, it was one or the other.”
When Martin was handed the No.1 jumper against Canterbury in April, the Broncos were languishing in 14th.
The former Kiwi international proved a smash hit at fullback, helping Brisbane to fourth spot on the back of seven straight wins, and Walters is banking on Martin’s return to stabilise the Broncos’ finals charge.
“Yes, there’s a tinge of disappointment to see Te Maire moving on, but that’s rugby league,” Ikin said. “More than anything, we have this overwhelming sense of pride for what he has been able to achieve in this second phase of his career.
“After his brain bleed (in 2019), Te Maire wasn’t sure if he would ever play again.
“We got the opportunity to have him come to the Broncos and to think we have played some small part in his journey back to rugby league, makes everyone in the organisation enormously proud.
“He isn’t a career fullback, but he adapted to the position so quickly and gave the team exactly what it was chasing: a wise head, and someone who could bring other talented players around him into the contest.
“We were searching for some calmness around Adam Reynolds (halfback), and Te Maire helped provide it.”
Warriors football boss Craig Hodges believes the Broncos’ loss is the Kiwi club’s gain.
“Te Maire has been outstanding for the Broncos,” he said. “He has brought some maturity to their spine and with Te Maire, he is one of those players where things happen around him.
“When he has the ball, spaces open up and line breaks happen. He has a knack of putting his support players in space, he plays with time, he is never rushed or panicked. He is a genuine footy player.
“He was out of the game for a few years but he knows what winning looks like — he played in a grand final for the Cowboys (in 2017). The deal is done, we’ve had it registered with the NRL, so we think Te Maire will be a good fit for us.”
Kevvie ‘disappointed’ over Broncos slump
-Callum Dick, Robert Craddock
Billy Walters knows his coach better than anyone. So when the Broncos playmaker says his father Kevin is not mad just “disappointed” by the team’s poor recent performances, it rings loud and true.
When the Broncos surged into the top four after outclassing Parramatta in Sydney only three weeks ago, Kevin Walters’ tabling of a premiership agenda looked warranted.
Brisbane has since surrendered 30-plus points in consecutive defeats to the Wests Tigers and Roosters – and the top four now looks a far cry with four games to play.
The Broncos were outmuscled through the middle in the Roosters defeat and Billy summed up the feelings of his coach, the players and fans after training on Monday.
“He’s been pretty disappointed to be honest. We’re a lot better team than what we’re showing, especially the last two weeks (and) I think that’s what gets him the most,” he said.
“He knows what we can achieve and we’re just not showing that on the field at the moment. But we’ve shown throughout the year we can match it with the best.
“Our focus this week is the start to the game. The last couple of weeks we haven’t started well and it’s hurt us. The Roosters were up 18-nil pretty quickly on the weekend.
“We’ve leaked a lot of points the last couple of weeks which we can’t be doing against the good team. If we can get those two things right I think we’ll go a long way.”
Jake Turpin started at hooker against the Roosters with Walters playing 48 minutes off the bench and he hinted that could become the norm in weeks to come.
“I suppose for me it’s (about) coming on and trying to be a bit of an impact (player),” Walters said.
“Turps started the game … (I) come on and look for the tired bodies and try and turn the game in our favour. That will be my role going forward I think but as long as Kevvie keeps picking me, I don’t really mind where I play.”
Pat Carrigan and Kurt Capewell sat out Monday’s session as part of a planned rest day for State of Origin representatives, however Maroons teammates Corey Oates and Selwyn Cobbo both trained in full.
Te Maire Martin was also absent having made his return from injury through the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly on Sunday. He will train midweek as the battle for the Broncos’ No.1 jersey with incumbent Tesi Niu heats up.
The Broncos will trot out their fan-favourite Indigenous Round jersey against the Knights on Saturday, in the first of three consecutive home games at Suncorp Stadium.
Breakout playmaker Ezra Mam played a starring role when the Broncos last wore the jersey in a comeback win over the Titans and relished the opportunity to pull it on once more, this time with Deadly Choices as the major sponsor.
“It means a lot to me having family history from both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. To put on the jersey for my family, myself, my teammates, friends and everyone,” said Mam, who made his NRL debut against the Knights earlier this year.
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