Broncos’ injury curse strikes again

The Broncos’ injury curse has struck again with star pivot Anthony Milford in a freak mishap at Brisbane training.

Anthony Milford at Brisbane Broncos training. Picture: Annette Dew

The Broncos’ injury curse has struck again with star pivot Anthony Milford facing a month on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring in a freak mishap at Brisbane training.

Speaking exclusively to News Corp Australia, Milford confirmed he broke down at Broncos training on Monday – ruling him out of Friday night’s clash against Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.

Milford was set to be named on Tuesday but Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has been forced into reshuffle with Brodie Croft to partner Tom Dearden in the halves for the Bennett grudge match.

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Milford, who has been wearing a guard around his leg, confirmed he has been scratched for the South Sydney showdown after aggravating a hamstring problem he first suffered against Melbourne a fortnight ago.

“I’m not dropped this week, I’m actually injured,” he said.

“I hurt my hammy pretty bad yesterday, I had scans on it this morning and it doesn’t look too good.

“I tried to take off in one of the drills and I felt this cramping sensation, straight away it didn’t feel good.

“I hurt my hammy before the Melbourne game and I wasn’t sure if it was related to that.

“It’s disappointing. I think I’m looking at a month on the sidelines, it’s pretty bad … hopefully I’m not out for the season.”

Broncos performance chief Paul Devlin said an MRI scan on Monday revealed a grade-two tear of Milford’s hamstring.

“It’s unfortunate but as a result we expect Anthony to be out of action for at least the next month,” Devlin said.

“He will start rehabilitation in coming days and will build his strength back up before commencing his return to run program.”

Milford’s blow continues Brisbane’s nightmare run with injury with the likes of Matt Lodge, Alex Glenn, Croft, David Fifita, Tesi Niu and Corey Oates all having stints in the casualty ward this season.

But there is a silver lining for the Broncos with Croft and Fifita named to face the Rabbitohs.

Fifita returns from knee surgery and hasn’t played since Brisbane’s initial bout with Souths in round two in March, while Croft will answer an SOS from Seibold after missing last week’s loss to Cronulla with a shoulder injury.