NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford’s horror statistics revealed
How many metres should one million dollars buy you? Brisbane have promised to deliver Anthony Milford a platform to rebound following one of the most demoralising statistics of his career.
Broncos
Don't miss out on the headlines from Broncos. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Broncos have promised to deliver Anthony Milford a platform to work his magic against the Roosters after Brisbane’s million-dollar man recorded one of the most demoralising statistics of his career.
Milford registered just one run for seven metres in the Broncos’ error-riddled 34-6 loss to Parramatta in last week’s blockbuster NRL season relaunch.
At the same time, Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown recorded 11 runs for 102m while Broncos halfback Brodie Croft scored a superb 40m solo try.
Milford went missing in the highest-rating regular season game of the past six years as the electric Eels blew Brisbane away.
Get your sport fix on Kayo ahead of live games returning soon - classic match replays, documentaries and the latest news & announcements. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The injury and suspension-ravaged Broncos will face the back-to-back premiers Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
Milford started the season in hot form, scoring one of his greatest NRL tries against South Sydney in Round 2 before the competition was suspended for two months due to COVID-19.
It is no secret that the Broncos are a tough team to beat when the dangerous Milford is on song at five-eighth, but for that to happen they can’t have only 37 per cent of possession like last week.
“One of Milf’s strengths is his running and you can’t run the ball when you don’t have the ball as a team,” Croft said.
“We need to go forward first and earn the right to play some football and hold the ball for Milf to do his thing off the back of that.
“Last week we were working out of trouble a lot and we weren’t going anywhere.
“It’s tough for any half to do anything off the back of that. Hopefully we hold the ball this week and let Milf play off the back of that.”
The Broncos were put to the sword by Parramatta after making a glut of simple errors and posting a completion rate of 63 per cent.
The NRL’s new six-again rule introduced last week proved teams that control possession will benefit against tiring opposition.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold refused to blame Milford for his quiet night against the Eels.
“Possession is key at the moment,” he said.
“At the start of the game, whether they were warranted or not, we had three set restarts (against us) to start the game. As that progresses, fatigue comes in.
“They were able to get at Milford and Crofty and the defenders around that space.
“Milf showed in the first two games, when we have an even share of possession ... he started the year really well. He’s been training really well.
“The sheer weight of possession, as you get more attackers coming at you it’s pretty tough going.”
Milford’s past five seasons at Red Hill have been a mix of excellence and frustration, with inconsistency plaguing the highest paid player in the club’s history.
But the Roosters know how dangerous Milford can be and are preparing for the 170-game playmaker to be back to his best.
“We’re always weary of him, he’s got us a few times,” Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary said.
“I’ve played against him for six or seven years now, so I’ve seen him at his absolute best. He is a quality player.
“They ran into a Parramatta team that was red-hot and the Broncos were on the back foot doing a lot of defence. I don’t think he was to blame.”
Baby Broncos blitz Bears as Madge era starts with shutout
Brisbane’s Michael Maguire era has started with a bang, with a rising star impressing as the Broncos proved too strong for the Burleigh Bears in their first pre-season trial.
‘I dug my heels in’: The Bronco who refused to walk away
On the outer with former coach Kevin Walters, Cory Paix was told he was free to leave the Broncos, but the nuggety rake refused to walk, and now under a new coach his 526-day NRL exile looks set to end.