NRL 2021: Anthony Milford re-called to Broncos starting team, eyes significant milestone

‘There will be no pressure on him. Hopefully he can turn on a good game for us.’ Anthony Milford has been handed an unexpected opportunity to end his Broncos career in style.

Exiled Bronco Anthony Milford has been re-called to the side. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Brisbane’s failed $1 million man Anthony Milford has been given one final chance to finish his Broncos career in a blaze of glory after answering a playmaking SOS for Sunday’s clash against the Warriors.

Milford’s turbulent Broncos career appeared to be over a fortnight ago when he signed a one-year deal with Souths for 2022, prompting coach Kevin Walters to look to the future with Tyson Gamble at five-eighth.

But Gamble’s two-match suspension for a crusher tackle on Roosters forward Nat Butcher has opened the door for Milford, the highest-paid player in Broncos history, to leave Red Hill on a positive note.

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Milford will chalk-up his 149th appearance for the Broncos against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, putting him on course to celebrate the 150-game milestone against the Sharks on Saturday week.

The 27-year-old was named on the bench in last week’s 21-20 loss to the Roosters but this will be Milford’s first starting appearance for the Broncos in almost three months since undergoing knee surgery in June.

The former Queensland Origin utility will be joined at the scrumbase by halfback Albert Kelly, who has overcome a knee injury and trained strongly on Tuesday in a boost for the 15th-placed Broncos.

Exiled Bronco Anthony Milford has been re-called to the side. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Milford has been pilloried by Broncos fans for his inconsistent form since signing a $4 million deal in 2017, but teammate Tom Flegler backed the maligned pivot to engineer Brisbane’s sixth win of the season against the Warriors.

“’Milf’ is back, he will bring experience and I’m looking forward to playing with him again,” Flegler said of Milford, who is set to partner Cody Walker at the Rabbitohs next season.

“Milf has always been hungry to stay in the NRL.

“When he is at the top of his game, he is definitely one of the best players in this game.

“The boys are looking forward to playing with him and we all trust him out there.

“There will be no pressure on him. Hopefully he can turn on a good game for us.”

Underlining his struggles, Milford has won just five of his last 23 games in the Broncos halves for a 21 per cent success rate.

Two of those wins have come against the bumbling Bulldogs, who will officially clinch the wooden-spoon if the Milford-Kelly alliance can inspire another Broncos win and kill off the Warriors’ finals hopes.

Herbie Farnworth returns to the side after missing last week’s loss to the Roosters. Picture: NRL Images

In other selection news, Herbie Farnworth returns to the centres after missing the Roosters clash with a knee injury, forcing David Mead to the bench as Brisbane’s No.14 utility.

Flegler said the Broncos are hellbent on finishing off a Warriors side starring Reece Walsh, the fullback sensation who faces Brisbane for the first time since signing with the Kiwi club in April.

“Our finals hopes are gone, but the last few games we have been a lot better,” he said.

“We are playing as a team and playing for each other which we struggled with earlier in the year.

“We are looking to build confidence going into pre-season and getting all our little things right.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Anthony Milford re-called to Broncos starting team, eyes significant milestone