Done deal! Anthony Milford contract saga ends with four-year Broncos deal

THE Broncos have got their man, but Wayne Bennett has revealed Brisbane officials were kept on their toes as they worked to re-sign Anthony Milford.

Anthony Milford has signed a new contract with the Broncos. Picture: Peter Wallis

MONTHS of speculation are finally over after Anthony Milford officially re-signed with Brisbane for another four NRL seasons.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail Milford, who fielded a lucrative offer to join Melbourne, will stay at the Broncos until at least the end of the 2021 season.

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The Queensland State of Origin prospect was involved in a tug of war with the Storm before Milford finally decided his future, opting to stay at the Broncos.

“I have committed to the club for another four years — I am glad it is over,” Milford told the Broncos website.

“It was about setting up my future. I wanted to be part of a big club.”

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said officials were kept “on our toes” as they worked to keep Milford in Brisbane.

“It’s a major signing for us and we’re obviously very pleased with it,” Bennett said.

Wayne Bennett is pleased Anthony Milford has re-signed with the Broncos. Picture: Jono Searle

“It gives us a lot of security going forward. We don’t have to go through more negotiations.

“We were always on our toes with him, we didn’t want to lose him.

“We’re pleased he’s staying and it’s worked out. He’s got nothing else to worry about,

“He’s got a four-year deal. He’s looking pretty good and he’s happy with that. He can get on with his football.”

Milford, 22, admitted contract talks were drawn out but in the end believed it was an easy decision to knock back a cashed up Storm offer.

“It was an easy decision when it came to my family,” said Milford, whose parents are based in Brisbane.

“My family is always going to be a major part of my decision.

“And what excited me were the young fellas coming through the under 20s here.

“Hopefully we can be a force and win more premierships.”

Milford will can now concentrate on earning a maiden Queensland Origin jumper. Milford will have an early Origin audition when he lines up against Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans in Saturday night’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters says both are in the mix to replace Johnathan Thurston if the Maroons five-eighth fails to overcome a shoulder complaint ahead of the May 31 Origin series opener.

Anthony Milford is in the frame for a State of Origin call-up. Picture: Darren England

Milford has found another gear after lifting in the absence of injured Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt (hamstring).

But Milford tried to play down his influence on the Broncos ahead of their crunch clash, part of the NRL double-header.

“It’s been a lot easier with senior boys like Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd in the team around me,” he said.

“(Hooker) Andrew McCullough also directs us around the park — I guess I just try to put on some finishing touches.”

Milford joined Brisbane from Canberra in 2015.