Milf on the hunt! Broncos star brushes critics, vows to rediscover running mojo for derby

BRONCOS pivot Anthony Milford says he couldn’t care less about criticism of his game and has vowed to rediscover his running mojo in Friday’s derby against the Cowboys.

Milford at Broncos training on Tuesday.

BRONCOS pivot Anthony Milford says he couldn’t care less about criticism of his game and has vowed to rediscover his running mojo in Friday night’s derby against the Cowboys.

Brisbane’s $1 million man Milford and scrumbase partner Kodi Nikorima are under pressure to hit back in the Queensland derby following last week’s 34-12 debacle against the Dragons at Kogarah.

While the Broncos’ forwards failed to lay a solid platform, Milford took some poor last-play options that won’t be tolerated given his status this season as the highest-paid player in Brisbane’s 30-year history.

Anthony Milford will attack with his running game.

Milford must counter the playmaking genius of Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium and says it is vital he goes back to doing what he does best - attacking the line.

“I can improve my running game,” he said.

“Being more of a talker this year takes that away from me and I need to go back to basics, get an early carry in the game and make sure I stay in the game.

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“The best players like him (Thurston) bring out the best in everyone. We will work hard on ourselves and fix up what we should have done against the Dragons.”

Asked if the criticism gets under his skin, Milford said: “Not at all, it gets pushed aside. I know what I need to work on.

“That (external criticism) comes part and parcel with the position I play.

“There will be heavy critics coming at me and Kodi whether we lose or win but we have to ride those highs and losses.

Milford at Broncos training on Tuesday.

“We have to accept that and move on.”

Milford’s candid assessment came on the same day the Broncos announced a new five-year sponsorship deal with Firstmac home loans, who first joined forces with Brisbane six years ago.

Broncos playmaking legend Darren Lockyer last week turned up the heat on Milford, challenging him to work harder on his game by studying champions like Thurston and Cameron Smith.

But veteran Broncos forward Sam Thaiday leapt to Milford and Nikorima’s defence, insisting Brisbane’s pack failed the pint-sized duo.

“It’s a very simple game we play,” he said.

“When your forwards are making the mistakes we did, we didn’t give them (Milford and Nikorima) the chance to show their talent.

“I will put up my hand personally and we’ve had some tough conversations through the week about what we need to do as a forward pack.

“We let those two guys down.”

Kodi Nikorima admonished his Round 1 performance.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has vowed to stick with Nikorima at halfback and Milford is adamant his alliance with the Kiwi Test playmaker can fire.

“Everyone is forgetting it’s only round one. There’s nothing to worry about for the Broncos,” he said.

“Having a new partner there in the halves, it’s going to take time for us to click.

“We worked really hard in the pre-season and the coaching staff have given us the green light. We have the belief to do our jobs week in and week out.

“We have no excuses. We are ready to put that (Dragons loss) behind us and focus on this week.”