NRL 2021: Broncos coach Kevin Walters recalls Anthony Milford for clash with Titans

Will it be 17th time lucky? The Broncos have gone through 16 halves combinations since 2017, three alone in 2021. Are Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble the answer?

Tyson Gamble will play halfback against the Titans. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Anthony Milford has been given one final chance to save his Broncos career as coach Kevin Walters rolls out Brisbane’s 17th scrumbase pairing in four years in Friday night’s derby against the Titans.

The confusing game of halfback musical chairs at the Broncos has hit overdrive with Walters axing Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft following their insipid scrumbase display in last week’s 46-6 loss to the Eels in Darwin.

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That has opened the door for Milford to partner Tyson Gamble for the Titans clash at Suncorp Stadium in the latest scrumbase experiment for the Broncos, who have road-tested 16 other combinations since 2017.

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Just 24 hours after his decision to defect to the Cowboys next season, Dearden will make way in the No.7 jumper for Gamble, whose fourth NRL game is sweet reward for his slick form at feeder-club Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup.

Anthony Milford is back for Brisbane this week after two weeks in the Intrust Super Cup.

Meanwhile, Croft has been dumped in favour of Milford, who has spent the past fortnight at Souths Logan and was superb last week, amassing 12 tackle busts, a try, two try assists, two line breaks and three line-break assists in a 60-10 mauling of Mackay.

Off-contract at season’s end, Milford has arrived at the last-chance saloon and Broncos teammate Payne Haas urged Brisbane’s $1 million man to prove to Walters he is worth retaining.

“‘Milf’ had a good performance against Mackay and he has been rewarded for that,” front-rower Haas said. “He is back now and did a good job (for Souths Logan), he kept his head up and kept working hard.

“It’s good to have someone like him back in the team. Everyone knows what Milf can bring but we have to create space for him and it’s up to us forwards to do that for him.”

Tom Dearden may have played his last game for the Broncos after being dropped. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Dearden trained with Brisbane’s second-string Renegades outfit on Tuesday and may have played his last game in Broncos colours following his decision to ink a three-year deal with the Cowboys from 2022.

The 24-year-old Gamble made his Wests Tigers debut in 2018 before adding two matches with the Broncos last season and has impressed Walters with his kicking game and communication at the Devils.

Gamble faces a daunting assignment, with the rangy playmaker set to defend on the same side of the field as in-form Titans wrecking ball David Fifita.

“Tyson is a non-stop talker,” Haas said.

“He is a good talker and that’s what we need in the team with our halves, we need some direction and Tyson is the man to do that and let Milf do what he wants.”

Tyson Gamble has been in good form for Norths Devils. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Walters has also axed veteran outside back David Mead at right centre, paving the way for Jesse Arthars to face his former Titans teammates as Brisbane chase their second win from eight starts.

“Kevvie said at the start of the year, no-one is safe here,” Haas said.

“You have to play well to keep your spot, if not you will get shown the door and get kicked out of the team. It shows where Kevvie is.”