Kevin Walters on Anthony Milford trying to reignite his NRL career at South Sydney Rabbitohs
Kevin Walters has opened up on Anthony Milford’s move out of his Brisbane ‘comfort zone’ and into the South Sydney pressure cooker.
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Broncos coach Kevin Walters says he has no bad blood with Anthony Milford and has applauded the under-fire playmaker for getting out of his “comfort zone” in Brisbane by signing with South Sydney.
Walters’ assessment came as Brisbane five-eighth Tyson Gamble launched a passionate defence of his playmaking colleague, hitting out at the constant criticism of Milford’s form at the Broncos.
Milford’s bittersweet, seven-season stint at the Broncos is coming to an end, with the 27-year-old to embark on a career resurrection at Redfern next season after signing a one-year deal with the Rabbitohs.
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When Walters was appointed as Broncos coach last September, he was viewed as the mentor who would get Milford firing.
Walters was Brisbane’s assistant coach when Milford enjoyed the best season of his career in 2015 as his attacking magic propelled the Broncos to that year’s grand final.
But their reunification has been a disaster, with Milford dropped three times this season by Walters, suffering two major injuries and ultimately told his club-record $1 million deal would not be renewed.
Despite failing to extract the best of Milford, Walters insists there is no ill-feeling between the pair and believes South Sydney will offer the perfect cultural environment for the former Queensland Origin star to rediscover his mojo.
“I wish Anthony nothing but the best,” he said of Milford, one of a number of players set to depart Brisbane at season’s end.
“It is a very strong club he is going to and it’s a good move for Anthony, it gets him out of his comfort zone and into Sydney.
“It’s a good signing for the Rabbitohs. He will be good for them.”
Milford, who started his career at Canberra in 2013, will bring 189 games of experience to the Rabbitohs, who are confident he can strike a potent scrumbase alliance with playmaking wizard Cody Walker.
Milford has battled hamstring, shoulder, hand and knee injuries in recent years and some of the code’s greatest playmaking legends, such as Andrew Johns and Greg Alexander, have blasted his inconsistency.
But Gamble came out swinging in support of Milford, saying the quick-stepping pivot has copped unfair criticism as the highest-paid player in Broncos history.
“I’m sure Milf will be fine in Sydney,” said Gamble, who spent time in the Harbour City at Wests Tigers before his move to the Broncos.
“We are a little bit different. It was my first NRL deal going down to Sydney and it was my first time living away from home, so I was a bit nervous.
“Milf will be fine. He is an absolute gun. He has had a rough few years up here and I feel bad for him.
“Milf is an absolute weapon on and off the field and I can’t say a bad word about him.
“He constantly gets bagged and he doesn’t deserve it, it’s been a rough few years for him and the club.
“I wish him all the best down south, he deserves to find form at Souths and play great footy again because he is a legend of a bloke.”
BENNETT BACKS IN MILFORD
Wayne Bennett has backed Anthony Milford to prove the Broncos wrong after the unwanted $1 million man secured an NRL lifeline with premiership big guns South Sydney.
The uncertainty surrounding Milford’s future is officially over with the enigmatic five-eighth to go from Red Hill to Redfern after agreeing terms on a one-year deal with the Rabbitohs for the 2022 season.
Milford’s decision to ink only a 12-month deal with South Sydney gives the playmaker the flexibility to return to Queensland should the NRL introduce a second Brisbane team for the 2023 season.
But Wayne Bennett is confident the highest-paid player in Broncos history will be a long-term success at Redfern, with the Souths super coach declaring a Milford-Cody Walker halves pairing will terrorise the NRL.
Bennett coached Milford at the Broncos and was instrumental in the Redfern raid. While Bennett will depart at season’s end, passing the coaching baton to Jason Demetriou, the 71-year-old was consulted by Souths hierarchy on whether it was a risk to sign Milford.
The Broncos decided Milford could not take them to the promised land but Bennett believes the 27-year-old can be a title-winning weapon for Souths.
“They asked me for my thoughts and I told them Anthony can get the job done,” Bennett said.
“South Sydney are a great club with a great culture and the environment here will bring out the best in ‘Milf’.
“I’ve coached Anthony and I know him as well as anyone.
“I will tell you this – there will be a lot of nervous NRL defences next season with Cody Walker on one side of the field and Anthony on the other.
“In a good system where he is appreciated for what he brings, Anthony Milford is a wonderful player, there is no doubt about that.
“He has football ability, he hasn’t lost that. He has got skills most people don’t have and his kicking game is much improved.
“At a club like Souths, Anthony will succeed.”
The Titans had interest in an immediate transfer for Milford with a view to a longer-term deal next year, but the former Queensland Origin utility believes the culture at Souths can extract the best of him.
While Milford never lived up to his club record $1 million-a-season deal at the Broncos, he was outstanding in the 2015 grand final and would have won the Clive Churchill Medal but for the Cowboys’ extra-time heroics.
It is understood Souths’ offer is around $350,000, a salary which eases the strain on Milford, who struggled for consistency at Brisbane but brings 189 games of NRL experience to a Rabbitohs side that will lose halfback Adam Reynolds to the Broncos next year.
“We wish Milf all the best at Souths,” Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said.
“I have a lot of time for Anthony. I have no doubt he would have liked some more success in his time at the Broncos, but he has been a good clubman and a great community person in his time here.
“I actually tried to sign Anthony when I was at Melbourne (as Storm CEO). Sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. Milf is going to a strong club and I’m sure he will roll the sleeves up to ensure he stays at Souths for longer than one year.
“I hope he is able to bounce back at Souths.”
Bennett’s successor Demetriou is a huge fan of Milford, working closely with the pivot during his time as Broncos assistant coach in 2017-18.
Bennett rejected suggestions Brisbane’s $1 million deal put too much pressure on Milford to deliver.
“I don’t think that (the $1 million deal) was an issue,” Bennett said.
“It probably put more responsibility on ‘Milf’, but I don’t think it was the reason why he didn’t play well.
“Milf would have felt more pressure than ever, for sure, but he was a victim of what happened at the Broncos.
“Milf is a wonderful player, but he needs good people around him. He was left to do things himself in the halves … but he couldn’t do it all himself.”
Milford said a fortnight ago that he hasn’t lost faith in his ability to succeed in the NRL.
“I honestly believe I have more in me,” he said.
“I’m only 27, but I need to unlock that consistency and get back to playing simple football.
“I know the hunger and the passion is there. I still love playing the game so hopefully a fresh start can be good for me.”
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