Anthony Milford keen to deliver a premiership for Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins

Anthony Milford left money on the table when he left the Newcastle Knights, but the star Samoan half has no regrets about his decision.

Anthony Milford is keen to reunite with Wayne Bennett.

Anthony Milford has spoken of his dream to deliver a Dolphins premiership and insists he is not a spent force in the NRL as the Samoa playmaking ace plots a World Cup boilover of Australia.

His career in tatters just six months ago, former Broncos $1 million man Milford will celebrate one of the biggest games of his career when he runs onto world-famous Old Trafford for Samoa’s World Cup final against Australia on Sunday morning (AEDT).

The home of world-football icons Manchester United is the last place Milford expected to be in April, when he was in sporting limbo after a lengthy court battle which finally came to an end, clearing him to return to the NRL in May.

Thrown a lifeline by the Knights, Milford went on to ink a two-year deal at the Dolphins to reunite with his former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, whose faith has been vindicated by the playmaker’s resurgence at the World Cup.

Anthony Milford pictured playing for Samoa (L) and with Wayne Bennett (inset) when both were at the Broncos.

News Corp understands the Samoan halfback sacrificed an estimated $350,000 by choosing the Dolphins over the Knights, who offered an extra season, but Milford said his loyalty to Bennett sealed the deal.

With Milford facing a possible jail term over assault charges, it was Bennett’s character reference that convinced a Brisbane magistrate the NRL playmaker deserved a second chance.

“A big part of me choosing the Dolphins was Wayne’s loyalty,” said Milford, who will be Samoa’s key weapon alongside halves partner Jarome Luai in his nation’s World Cup final debut against the Kangaroos.

“When you go through a tough time in life, you find out who you can rely on and Wayne was always there for me.

“Wayne has done so much for me over the last 12 months and I’m just glad I’m back playing football again.

“It was a pretty hard decision (to leave Newcastle) but at the end of the day I had spoken to Wayne before coming to the Knights and Newcastle knew about it.

“I came to really like the Knights and I could see the direction Adam (O’Brien, coach) and ‘KP’ (skipper Kalyn Ponga) are heading in.

“The Knights offered me a longer-term deal than the Dolphins, but I wanted to stick to my word to Wayne and made sure I stayed loyal to people who were loyal to me.”

The Knights were keen to keep Anthony Milford at the club. Picture: NRL Photos

While Samoa are raging $6.50 outsiders to upset the Kangaroos, Milford’s World Cup campaign has given the 28-year-old an injection of confidence heading into the Dolphins’ foundation season.

Milford produced a man-of-the-match display in Samoa’s quarter-final upset of fierce Pacific rivals Tonga before playing a key support role for Luai in their epic 27-26 semi-final disposal of England.

Milford’s former Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan will turn out for Australia in the World Cup decider. The ironman lock insists Milford has not lost his magic.

“The ‘Milf’ is going well in this tournament,” Carrigan said.

“He is a good mate of mine and it’s great to see him doing well and getting Samoa to a World Cup final.

“He has had a few knockers the last couple of years but looking at his performances in the World Cup, I think he will have a big year for the Dolphins.

“Everyone knows what Milf can do at his best. He is a freak.

“When I think of Anthony in the 2015 grand final (for the Broncos against the Cowboys), he was the best player in the game that year and he still has that in him.

“He will be a big asset for the Dolphins.”

Cameron Munster knows how dangerous Anthony Milford is with ball in hand. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

Kangaroos five-eighth Cameron Munster will oppose Milford in the halves and is wary of his former Queensland Origin colleague.

“I’ve played with Milf and against him. He is probably playing close to his best footy at the moment,” Munster said.

“I won’t be sleeping on ‘Milf’, he can create opportunities anywhere and when he backs himself there aren’t too many more dangerous ball runners in the game.

“He had a disappointing form slump at the Broncos, but I’m happy to see him going well for Samoa and going to Redcliffe next year, Wayne will get the best football out of him.”

There is a view Milford, scarred by his Broncos experience, will never truly live up to his potential in the sport.

But after 206 NRL games, Milford is relishing the prospect of being the Dolphins’ senior playmaker next season. A World Cup triumph would send the nation of Samoa into meltdown and be the icing on his NRL fightback.

“I still believe some good years are ahead of me,” said Milford, who played 13 games for the Knights this season.

“I’m more experienced. I wouldn’t say I know how to handle every situation on the field, but 10 years ago there were things in games I wouldn’t even think about it.

“I’ve had to change my game a little bit. I was younger at Canberra (his first NRL club who blooded him at 18) and lighter on my feet.

“I rocked up to every game with a different mindset than I do now. I played with a lot of freedom, I didn’t really think, I just played footy and with my natural instincts.

“Now, as I’ve gotten older, I am thinking more about how I can impact a game and help the players around me … how I put my back-rower in a hole or setting up my fullback.

“I don’t just think of myself and that comes with being a leader in a team.

“I still have the hunger to get back to my best. The fire is still burning and I still want to win a comp. That’s the dream.

“As long as the body follows the head, I will be right.”

Originally published as Anthony Milford keen to deliver a premiership for Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins