NRL 2020: Eels expose Broncos’ Anthony Milford dilemma

Anthony Milford’s tough night against Parramatta could prove a problem for Brisbane for the rest of the season — Robert Craddock looks at the NRL’s big talking points.

Anthony Milford had a rough night against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

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Each week, The Courier-Mail’s chief sportswriter Robert Craddock looks at the big talking points coming out of the NRL

OFFSIDE

MILFORD NOW A PRIME TARGET

Anthony Milford faces a winter of harassment after Parramatta laid down the blueprint of how to “de-Milf”' the Broncos.

Milford’s switch from fullback to five-eighth saw the Eels target Milford in defence and they benefited with two tries, including the first of the match when his jersey-snatch failed to stop Marata Niukore.

And the way Parra dominated the Broncos pack left Milford with so little room in attack, Fox Sports had him making just one run for seven metres for the match.

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Anthony Milford had a rough night against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

This in a season where the recruitment of Brodie Croft was designed to unleash Milford’s running game.

It reinforced the point to the Broncos pack that if they want Milford to do the fancy interior decorating, they have to lay down the bricks and mortar first.

Otherwise …

LET 'EM PLAY

The NRL has done exceptionally well to lap rival codes with a swift return to the playing field but there is anger and frustration at lower levels of the game.

Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup has been abandoned for the year but several clubs are keen to play – even for nothing – in any sort of reduced league and are craving guidance from the QRL. So far the silence has been deafening.

BIG MAN BLUES

Are the days of rugby league’s lumbering giants numbered?

If the game continues to be as quick as it was on the weekend then the game’s slow-moving front-rowers surely must be under threat.

Conversely, how good was it to see the game welcome back the artful dodgers who could sniff out a tired defender?

Wayne Bennett has a big job ahead at the Rabbitohs. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

RABBIT STEW

This season is one of Wayne Bennett’s greatest tests ever — as a coach and man manager.

Souths were poor against the Roosters on Friday and look like a team lacking leaders and fight.

One plus could be the return of James Roberts who, with his electric pace off the mark, is likely to be one player to benefit from the fatigue-induced defensive cracks.

STORM SUBSIDING

Could it really be happening? Could the mighty Melbourne Storm finally be on the decline?

We will know soon enough. Craig Bellamy picks his moments to unleash on the Storm and his declaration that his side were “embarrassing” against Canberra would traditionally spark a revival against Souths this week in a match between two clubs with zero affection for each other.

It will be compelling entertainment and the biggest story is likely to be the loser.

ONSIDE

BOMBER BELLAMY?

The plan to bring a second Brisbane team into the NRL in 2022 is perfectly timed for the Brisbane Bombers’ audacious recruitment bid of master coach Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy has been in talks with the Bombers for years and, given his contract with the Storm expires at the end of next year, it would be a neat fit for him to return to Brisbane where he once helped Wayne Bennett at the Broncos.

Easier said than done but don’t write it off.

The timing is right for Craig Bellamy to head up a new Brisbane NRL team. Picture: Scott Barbour/AAP

FAKE BUT FULFILLING

Call it cheesy or gratuitous but somehow the virtual crowd noises used by broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel 9 just worked.

Fox have more than 50 different sounds recorded and their system only uses audio from that venue. The background noise from the Eels-Broncos clash was from previous Suncorp Stadium games. Some objected but most fans found it made the viewing spectacle more real, and satisfying.

KING ARTHUR

Former Cairns Brothers captain-coach Brad Arthur has had some soul-destroying times during his seven years at Parramatta but the gravy train might be about to roll into his station.

And if it does, it’s hats off to the Eels for keeping the faith.

In four of Arthur’s first five years, the Eels finished 10th or worse and that would normally spell the end of a rookie coach. But Eels hierarchy kept the faith which, in the snatch-and-grab world of rugby league, is rare.

Parramatta’s form has given coach Brad Arthur reason to smile. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

THE MASKED CRUSADER

There have been some odd sights during the COVID-19 era and on Thursday we almost saw another – Allan Langer in a mask on a rugby league field.

As late as match day, a debate lingered as to whether support staff, including runners, should have to wear masks but they were given permission to not do so.

What a shame. Knowing Langer’s love of a prank, there would have been a gag in there somewhere.

WARRIOR SPIRIT

There’s a proven theory on any prediction with the Warriors. Do your research, apply a splash of logic and then tip the polar opposite to what you think will happen.

It worked again on the weekend when the Warriors, short of players and most likely homesick after their stint in Australia, went within two sets of producing a flawless game against the Dragons. Until two late mistakes they looked like not making an error for the entire game. Amazing.