Anthony Milford needs to ‘grow up’, says Wayne Bennett

WAYNE Bennett has likened Anthony Milford to Broncos legend Allan Langer, but says the 22-year-old has plenty of work to do to fulfil his potential.

WAYNE Bennett has likened Anthony Milford to Broncos legend Allan Langer, but says Brisbane’s first $1 million player must “grow up” to fulfil his potential in the code.

Two of rugby league’s most promising playmakers square off on Friday night when Broncos pivot Milford and Tigers halfback Luke Brooks trade blows at Suncorp Stadium.

Milford was involved in one of the most significant chapters in Brisbane’s history last week, inking a four-year deal worth $4 million — the richest contract ever issued to a Broncos player.

The record payday came just six weeks after Milford was unwittingly caught in an off-field storm, with Benji Marshall forced to deny claims he labelled his Broncos teammate a lazy trainer.

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Milford needs the maturity to match his ability. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Bennett has worked with some of rugby league’s finest over the past 30 years including Langer, the 165cm genius who steered Brisbane to four premierships during his 258-game career.

Like Langer, Bennett believes Milford possesses a skill set that cannot be coached, but says the Broncos whiz-kid must become more professional to achieve NRL greatness.

“His maturity is the challenge for him going forward now,” Bennett said of Milford.

“The skill level we see Anthony play with has always been a part of his DNA, but I need him to become a really good pro.

“He’s got a God-given talent that I can’t coach, he’s like ‘Alf’ (Langer) in that regard, but there are areas of his game that Anthony needs to be better at and I’ve told him that.

“I hope over the next four years, ‘Milf’ will mature into a really good professional. I would like to see him be a ‘lifer’ here at the Broncos.”

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Pressed on which areas Milford must address, Bennett insists he has no issue with the Queensland Origin hopeful’s work ethic.

The Broncos super coach says the 22-year-old, who plays his 106th NRL game tomorrow, needs more maturity and believes he can develop the leadership traits that swept Darius Boyd to the club captaincy.

“Maturity means a whole lot of things,” Bennett said. “In life, there comes a time where a person has to grow up and Anthony is the same in a football sense.

Bennett has given Milford a high bar to aim for.

“Footballers all need to grow up and when Anthony does that, he will make better decisions and better choices. He’s like Allan Langer in the way he can worry an opposition difference. That’s what gives Milf a point of difference.

“Darius has matured into an outstanding player and a guy who knows his role so well. Darren Lockyer (former Broncos skipper) was Darius’ role model as a kid and I now hope that Anthony can learn from Darius.”

Now in his fifth season of NRL, Milford insists he can get even better.

“I feel like I’m taking a good step in that direction each week as I play,” he said.

“I am always trying to learn from the older boys, especially a guy like Darius. It’s always a learning curve and I will keep learning each week.

“Darius has a really good football brain and he knows the ins and outs of players and what they do. He has a heap of strengths that I pick and choose from. I try and keep it simple and that’s how I play my best.”