Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler’s plea for million-dollar reject’s comeback

Former million dollar man Anthony Milford’s NRL lifeline could be revived, but two legends of the game have sent him a message.

Fittler and Johns have a simple message for Anthony Milford. Photo: YouTube and NRL Photos

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have delivered a simple message to former million-dollar NRL star Anthony Milford — if he can make a comeback in the coming weeks.

The 27-year-old has been left in rugby league limbo after the NRL refused to register his contract with South Sydney in November.

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A former million-dollar player with the Brisbane Broncos, Milford was dumped to reserve grade last season and was let go by the Queensland club at the end of last season.

It was a brutal end to his 151-game career in Brisbane.

But after signing with the Rabbitohs on a cut-price deal, Milford was arrested and charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of wilful damage involving a vehicle.

However, The Courier-Mail now reports two of three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm could be dropped.

The report details Milford may be free to take up a deal with the Knights as soon as March 30 — the earliest possible date for his rescheduled next court appearance.

Brisbane Broncos' Anthony Milford. Picture: NRL Photos

But speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth, Johns, who also works with the Knights as a coaching consultant to work with the club’s inexperience halves after the departure of Mitchell Pearce in the off-season, said he wasn’t sure about Milford’s links to the club.

“Get fit mate,” Fittler said.

“Get fit and he could make a difference at so many clubs, so many clubs could do with a player like him.

“He can play off the cuff. He’s just got to get fit.”

Johns added when asked if the side could fit Milford in: “Definitely. As Freddy said, get fit. Not a good game when you’re not fit.”

The Courier Mail reports the Knights would have a one-year, $150,000 offer ready for Milford to sign, should he be cleared in the court proceedings.

Channel 7 NRL reporter Michelle Bishop told SEN: “We won’t see him in a Bunnies jersey, that’s pretty obvious. He’s likely to land in Newcastle.

“The Knights are really keen to secure him on a contract worth $150,000, it is all a bit of a wait and see.”

According to widespread reports, Milford is expected to join Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins when the club enters the NRL in 2023.

The NRL previously released a statement to outline why it would not consider an application to have Milford registered to return to the league until the court process is complete.

“Given the severity of the allegations, particularly that two charges allege violence against women, the NRL will not consider an application,” the NRL said of Milford’s future.