‘He’s been a legend about it’: Anthony Milford has the chance to make amends

He was called out for a poor pre-season, but a veteran playmaker looms as a key figure as the NRL’s newest team deals with major injuries.

Anthony Milford has the chance to prove he’s still an NRL talent as the Dolphins’ depth starts to get tested. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Broncos are flying but the other three Queensland clubs have been grounded by injuries, with a host of big names ruled out after a costly weekend of footy.

The Dolphins were brave in their inaugural derby against Brisbane, and they’re going to have to dig even deeper with halfback Sean O’Sullivan facing 12-16 weeks out after he suffered a full tendon rupture of his pectoral muscle in the loss.

Winger Tesi Niu will also miss the next four weeks with an MCL injury that he battled through last Friday, with veteran Edrick Lee in line to replace him after a successful return for the Capras on the weekend.

O’Sullivan’s injury is a huge blow given he had formed such a promising combination with youngster Isaiya Katoa, who should return from an elbow injury on Saturday against the Dragons.

The Dolphins have suffered a huge blow with Sean O'Sullivan expected to miss up to four months of footy. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It means Anthony Milford will get an extended run in the halves after he filled in for Katoa last Friday and more than held his own against Brisbane.

The veteran playmaker was relegated to reserve grade for the opening rounds after a disappointing pre-season but has the chance to make amends.

“I love what I’ve seen from ‘Milf’,” teammate Connelly Lemuelu said.

“He got the late call-up last week and did a really good job for us. Sean is obviously out for a long time but we’re confident in Milf’s ability. We know he’ll be able to do the job for us.

“He’s been a legend about it. He didn’t kick stones and he went back to State Cup where he was playing some really great footy for the Capras. It just shows the professional he is that he was able to go back there and do the job.

“He got his opportunity last week and he took it. We’re backing him in to do it again.”

The Dolphins aren’t the only ones dealing with an injury crisis, with North Queensland set to be without several players for the foreseeable future.

Winger Murray Taulagi is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with an MCL injury, Gehamat Shibasaki will be out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain, while veteran prop James Tamou will meet a specialist after having scans on a foot injury.

It was a costly loss in Townsville for the Titans, who could be without stars Kieran Foran and AJ Brimson after the bye. Picture; Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

And it’s a good thing the Titans have the bye this week after key playmakers Kieran Foran (calf) and AJ Brimson (hamstring) were forced off within a matter of minutes during Saturday’s loss to the Cowboys.

They’ve both had scans with no update yet on their estimated return.

Originally published as ‘He’s been a legend about it’: Anthony Milford has the chance to make amends