Broncos star Anthony Milford takes inspiration from Billy Slater in fullback switch

As Anthony Milford settles into his new position at fullback the Brisbane playmaker has revealed he’s trying to emulate one of the best ever.

Anthony Milford of the Broncos gets clear before scoring a try during the Round 19 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos at CBus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, July 27, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Anthony Milford says he has come to terms with his shock move to fullback and is taking inspiration from Storm champion Billy Slater to spearhead a boilover of top dogs Melbourne tonight at Suncorp Stadium.

Speaking for the first time since his move to fullback four weeks ago, Milford says he has no issue being stripped of the Broncos’ No.6 jumper as he prepares to model his game on the style that made Slater the code’s greatest custodian.

Since joining Brisbane in 2015, Milford played 114 games for the Broncos in the halves but his past four matches at fullback are a throwback to his rookie years as a teenage No.1 at former club Canberra.

Milford relished the extra freedom to roam in last week’s 34-12 derby defeat of the Titans and believes he can learn lessons from Slater, who scored 190 tries from 319 games for the Storm.

“I haven’t changed anything around. I just have a new job and just have to get on with it,” Milford said.

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Milford has warmed to fullback in recent weeks. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

“It is what it is. I’m enjoying my football there. It’s been a learning experience coming back to the fullback role but I’m enjoying every part of it.

“Billy has always been a step ahead of everyone in terms of knowing how to play and changing the game (at fullback). He was both (a runner and ballplayer).

“You didn’t know what Billy was going to do. He changed the role.

“I am team first and wherever the team needs me to play I will do it.

“I will finish this year at fullback and sit down with ‘Seibs’ (coach Anthony Seibold) and see what is going on and whether I play six or one (next season).

“I will take that into pre-season and enjoy every day.”

Since his move to the backfield, Milford has been deployed in a varied role by Seibold.

While he is stationed at fullback for kick returns, Milford has also popped up in the frontline as a third playmaker to handle kicking duties or orchestrate sets with halves Darius Boyd and Jake Turpin.

Milford has been in rich form lately. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

There was a sentiment that Milford was shackled at five-eighth with the pressures of organising the team and the 25-year-old admits he has enjoyed playing what he sees at fullback.

“I enjoy it (more than five-eighth) because you are not thinking about the next play and what is going on around you too much,” he said.

“I am pretty much playing free-flow football and whatever comes into my head I just do it.

“At fullback, you get a good look at who is tired and who is not.

“As long as you are doing your homework during the week you can pick your spots and time when to chime in.

“I am playing off the back of an awesome forward pack that gives me go-forward and has a sneaky offload every now and then.

“I am learning every game and Seibs has given me the confidence to back myself.

“The next evolvement of my game is just to get better at both ball-playing and running the ball. It’s a learning experience but I’m enjoying it.”