Maroons great Gary Belcher says Broncos must up ante to keep Anthony Milford
MELBOURNE are attempting to blow Brisbane out of the water after tabling a club-record $1.2 million offer to poach Broncos sensation Anthony Milford.
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MELBOURNE are attempting to blow Brisbane out of the water after tabling a club-record $1.2 million offer to poach Broncos sensation Anthony Milford.
But Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has hit back, ramping up his involvement in negotiations as Brisbane move to secure Milford to a four-year, $4 million deal.
Any doubts over the legitimacy of Melbourne’s interest have been put to bed with the club dangling a $1.2m carrot after Milford flew south last week to meet with coach Craig Bellamy.
The Broncos are aware of Milford’s trip to inspect the Storm set-up, which occurred after last week’s 32-18 defeat of Penrith.
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As it stands, Melbourne and the Broncos will have just one marquee playmaker on their books next season in Milford — triggering a big-money scrap for his services.
Bennett rarely loses players he wants to keep and vowed to retain the man he is grooming to spearhead the Broncos for the next 10 years.
“I’m confident of keeping Anthony,” Bennett said.
Asked if he was surprised by Melbourne’s eleventh-hour poaching bid, Bennett said: “No I’m not, Anthony is a talented player and a guy of his ability is always going to attract interest.
“But we’re continuing negotiations and I’m still confident he will stay here.”
If money is the sole consideration, Milford will join the Storm.
Their massive offer would make him the highest-paid player in Melbourne’s 19-year history _ eclipsing the $1 million deals for Storm duo Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
But the Broncos aren’t sitting idle. Originally the parties discussed a three-year, $2.7m deal. Now Brisbane will make Milford their first $1 million player as they thrash out a four-year term that includes NRL-approved third-party agreements.
Milford still lives at home with his parents in the Brisbane suburb of Inala and the Broncos are banking on his family ties — and relationship with Bennett — to keep him at Red Hill.
Milford is in Samoan camp preparing for Saturday night’s Test against Bennett’s England side and was tight-lipped about his future at training on Wednesday night.
But Melbourne’s interest gives Milford bargaining power. Queensland fullback legend Gary Belcher insists the Broncos can’t afford to have their scrumbase torn apart, with Milford’s halves partner Ben Hunt joining the Dragons next season on a $5.4m deal.
“If Ben Hunt got more than $1 million at the Dragons, then Milford should be getting more than him,” said Belcher, a former Broncos strength-and-conditioning coach.
“I still think the Broncos are in the box seat, but is Milford testing the market because he’s not happy with Brisbane’s offer in the first place?
“It would be a massive blow if the Broncos lost Milford and I’d say they will go all out to keep him.
“Milford would be a great fit for Melbourne. They have some great young kids coming through like Cam Munster and Brodie Croft, so they have some options.
“If Milford doesn’t get a package of $1.2 million a season, he is entitled to look elsewhere.”
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