NRL 2016: Anthony Milford stars as Brisbane Broncos heap misery on hapless Newcastle Knights

BRISBANE showed no mercy as they walked all over a helpless Newcastle outfit to win by 53 points in front of a Suncorp Stadium crowd.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Anthony Milford of the Broncos celebrates the try of Corey Oats of the Broncos during the round seven NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium on April 16, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

ANTHONY Milford is 21 years old, lives with his parents in suburban Brisbane and is the best player in the NRL right now.

Forget Queensland, Anthony Milford should be playing for Australia next month after a masterclass in attacking football against Newcastle.

The Broncos thumped the injury-hit Knights, up 22-0 at halftime they eventually won 53-0 at Suncorp Stadium.

Boom winger Corey Oates scored a hat-trick for Brisbane but he wasn’t even the team’s best player.

Milford again proved he was the competition’s form star.

He left several Knights players clutching at the night air of Brisbane so confusing was his footwork.

He had two tries in the first half alone.

At full time he had three tries, a field goal, a try-assist, a line-break assist and six tackle busts.

Milford has scored eight tries this season already.

Milford’s performance was in front of Kevin Walters, the Queensland coach who made a stand when he suspended Milford and seven other Maroons-eligible players who broke curfew.

It means Milford can’t play for Queensland and won’t be picked for Australia.

If he wasn’t banned, he would have to be picked such is his form.

While Milford needs longevity to consider himself among the NRL’s best overall and in the same realm as Johnathan Thurston, on current form he is ahead of the pack.

Yes, Milford starred against the lowly Knights but he was also Brisbane’s best against the Cowboys earlier this year when he kicked the match-winning field goal.

He was also best on ground in last year’s grand final loss to the Cowboys.

Knights coach Nathan Brown could only smile in disbelief as Milford ran riot.

“He’s a brilliant player,” Brown said.

“If he and Ben Hunt are there for another eight years they will have a couple of premierships I think.

“I love watching the seven and six combine like they did. They were sensational.”

Ben Hunt of the Broncos celebrates after scoring a try.

Bennett said Milford was just “having fun out there” but noted he was only one of many strong performers.

Bennett had called for an improved performance against the Knights after admitting his team was flat following victories over the Titans and Dragons.

“A lot happier. We had more energy,” Bennett said.

“If we played like we did last week we wouldn’t have got that scoreboard today.”

The Broncos’ crowd was an impressive 30,394 against the lowly Knights, 10,000 higher than Brisbane Roar’s crowd for an elimination final the previous night.

Matt Gillett of the Broncos makes a break.

The Knights can’t be criticised too heavily. They lost Jarrod Mullen in the opening half and were smashed by injuries throughout the clash and had backrowers defending at centre.

Ben Hunt was also good against Newcastle and has now strung two strong performances together.

While Hunt is yet to find last year’s form, he is steadily improving.

Walters also watched Oates score three tries and the giant winger is demanding an Origin debut.

Originally published as NRL 2016: Anthony Milford stars as Brisbane Broncos heap misery on hapless Newcastle Knights