NRL 2021: Kevin Walters backs Anthony Milford to handle pressure against Eels

No Bronco is under more pressure than Anthony Milford, but coach Kevin Walters knows just how his mercurial star can answer the critics on Friday night.

Brodie Croft, Anthony Milford, and Tom Dearden, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hills. Photographer: Liam Kidston

New Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has challenged underfire playmaker Anthony Milford to finally deliver on his potential in Friday night’s season opener against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium.

Off-contract at season’s end, Milford is playing for his future at the Broncos this season amid a growing band of critics who believe he has failed dismally to live up to a $1 million deal that represents the richest contract in Brisbane’s history.

In the club’s storied 33-year history, no other Broncos player has pocketed a $1 million-a-season salary. Not Wally Lewis. Not Darren Lockyer. Not Allan Langer. Not Gorden Tallis, nor the plethora of club greats who delivered six premierships in a golden 14-year window.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Anthony Milford needs to fire up if the Broncos are going to be competitive in 2021.

Now the heat is on Milford to step-up as Brisbane’s senior playmaker alongside Brodie Croft, who has edged out Tom Dearden for the No. 7 jumper in a halves pairing that could make-or-break Brisbane’s season.

A veteran of 180 NRL games, Milford is coming off a fractured hand in pre-season and Walters urged the former Queensland Origin utility to produce the form that almost saw him win the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2015 grand final.

“I just think keeping ‘Milf’ happy is the key,” Walters said.

“He is certainly fit, he is looking forward to playing.

You can “Build You Own” Broncos Membership if flexibility is what you’re looking for – simply pick the number of games you want to attend, where you want to sit and which extras you want to add

“If I put myself in Anthony’s shoes, he is under a lot of pressure and the only way to answer that pressure is by putting in a performance that everybody knows he can do.

“That’s up to Anthony now to produce the type of form I know he is capable of. We didn’t see much of it last year, but I have a lot of trust and faith in what Anthony can bring to the team and I want to see that on Friday night.

“The grand-final (in 2015) was a few years ago so what we want to see from Anthony is his best asset, which is running the ball.

“Defensively, we need him to be strong as well, he has some big guys coming at him so he has to defend the way I know he can defend.

Kevin Walters wants Anthony Milford running the ball more.

“When he is on, there is not a better player in the competition in my books.”

Walters explained his decision to hand Croft the coveted No. 7 jumper after spending most of the pre-season running with Dearden at halfback.

“I went with Brodie because of his experience,” he said.

“He has played 40 more games than Tom. I have a healthy respect for both halfbacks and Tom can consider himself unlucky.

“I believe he has a great future here and we will put the work into him to make sure he develops into the player we know he can be. But this game is a big occasion for everyone so I just wanted to go with the experience of Brodie Croft in the halves.

“It’s up to Brodie now, it’s not a decision I will make, it’s a decision Brodie will make on his performance tomorrow night.

Brodie Croft has got the nod for the first game.

“It’s nice to know we have two playmakers available if required.”

Walters makes his official debut as an NRL head coach in round one and is relishing the prospect of rebuilding the Broncos after their wooden-spoon finish last year.

“It does feel different certainly (to coaching Origin),” said the former Maroons coach.

“Origin is different, this is a week-to-week thing, we have 25 weeks of this preparation.

“Origin is a three-match series and it’s run and won before you know it. This is a longer race and it’s a race I am really ready for.

“We are starting in an equal position and I expect our guys to give a performance they know they can play to, that’s all I’m expecting of them.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Kevin Walters backs Anthony Milford to handle pressure against Eels