NRL 2022: Newcastle Knights emerge as potential lifeline for Anthony Milford

With four spots still up for grabs on their roster, the Newcastle Knights are searching high and low for players ahead of the 2022 season - and that could lead them to a controversial choice.

Former Bronco Anthony Milford’s South Sydney stint may never happen. Picture: NRL Photos

Newcastle has emerged as a potential lifeline for exiled NRL star Anthony Milford.

It comes after Milford returned to Brisbane following the NRL’s decision not to register his one-year deal with South Sydney.

While Milford is still expected to link with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins in 2023, the 27-year-old has not given up hope of finding a club for this season.

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The Knights are adamant there have been no official talks with Milford or his management at this point.

But multiple sources are convinced this is a developing situation and Milford could end up at the Knights if he can get a clearance from the NRL in the coming months.

Anthony Milford’s immediate future is up in the air (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

It’s no secret that the Knights are still chasing an experienced playmaker following Mitchell Pearce’s shock exit, and the recent Achilles injury to dummy half Jayden Brailey has only exacerbated the club’s need to land another senior spine member before the season kicks off.

While the Knights were initially keen to get Luke Brooks from Wests Tigers to play halfback, there appears to have been no developments on that front since Tim Sheens made it clear Brooks would not be released.

At this point former Dragon Adam Clune and youngster Phoenix Crossland are the leading contenders to partner Jake Clifford in the halves, but the Knights have not given up their search for a more senior playmaker.

The Knights still have four spots available on their roster and are watching Milford’s legal situation with a genuine interest.

Milford is facing three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of wilful damage involving a vehicle following an alleged incident in Fortitude Valley last September.

The NRL has made the call that they won’t register Milford until the matter is formally finalised as part of the no fault stand down policy.

The case is scheduled to be again mentioned in court next month, but that is only expected to announce when the trial will start, meaning this could drag on for some time.

Milford had a turbulent seven seasons at the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

At his last court date Milford indicated that he would fight some of the charges, and sources with knowledge seem confident he has a strong case.

While the Rabbitohs haven’t officially shut the door on Milford joining the club this year, it’s fair to say they have made it clear they now have other priorities.

They have basically told Milford to focus on his legal matters, while there is also a genuine concern that they don’t want this ongoing situation to impact the team’s overall preparations going into the season under new coach Jason Demetriou.

The Rabbitohs have also made it clear that young Lachlan Ilias is the standout favourite to take over Adam Reynolds’ No. 7 jumper and start the season as Cody Walker’s new halves partner.

RABBITOHS REBOUND FORCES MILFORD BACK TO BRISBANE

— Travis Meyn

Anthony Milford’s South Sydney stint may be over before it started after the former Broncos playmaker returned to Brisbane as he faces an NRL ‘gap year’ before joining the Dolphins in 2023.

News Corp can reveal the Rabbitohs are on the verge of cutting Milford loose as doubt hovers over his 2022 availability.

After collecting $1 million in the final season of his controversial Broncos contract last year, Milford is back living in Brisbane and technically unemployed after the NRL refused to register his one-year contract with the Rabbitohs.

Milford, 27, has been charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of wilful damage involving a vehicle stemming from an alleged incident in Fortitude Valley last September and is awaiting the next stage of court proceedings.

At his last court appearance in October, Milford indicated he will fight some of the charges and the case is scheduled to be mentioned again next month.

Anthony Milford faced court last October. Picture: Richard Walker

Due to the nature of the charges, the NRL would not register his South Sydney deal until the matter is formally finalised.

That has left Milford unable to train with the Rabbitohs, who are now three months into their pre-season program and grand final redemption campaign ahead of the 2022 NRL season kicking off in March.

After not being offered a new contract by the Broncos, Milford relocated to Sydney late last year in preparation to join the Rabbitohs, but has now returned to Brisbane.

Milford was training on his own in Sydney and with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri before deciding to come back to Brisbane.

That has left his 2022 season in limbo and he faces the prospect of not playing in the NRL this year if the court matter drags on for months.

The Rabbitohs insisted they have not “cut” Milford, but have told the former Queensland Origin playmaker to focus on his legal matters before worrying about football.

Milford was training in Sydney with Roger Fabri. Picture: John Grainger

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly and Milford’s manager Sam Ayoub declined to comment on the matter.

But it is increasingly unlikely Milford will play for the Rabbitohs this year.

New Souths coach Jason Demetriou offered Milford a career lifeline at Redfern following a maligned seven seasons at the Broncos in which he became the highest-paid player in club history.

Despite some stellar moments, including a star performance in Brisbane’s 2015 grand final loss to North Queensland, Milford struggled to live up to his $1 million-a-year price tag consistently and was dropped multiple times by coach Kevin Walters in his final season at Red Hill.

Milford was set to add some quality depth to Souths’ playmaking department this year, but the Rabbitohs are cooling on the idea of standing by him given he is expected to only be at the club for 2022.

Milford is odds-on to reunite with former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins for their inaugural NRL season next year.

If Milford’s court saga drags on he may not get the opportunity to play in the NRL this season and could resign to getting back on the field through Queensland’s top competition the Hostplus Cup.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Newcastle Knights emerge as potential lifeline for Anthony Milford