Anthony Milford's parents offer to move to Canberra
December 1
Chris Wilson
ANTHONY MILFORD'S parents have told Raiders officials they would consider relocating to Canberra temporarily as they try to ease the rookie fullback through homesickness in his gap year before he joins Brisbane.
The Raiders are adamant Milford will honour the final year of his contract in Canberra, with coach Ricky Stuart reiterating that Milford's manager Sam Ayoub had again given a ''guarantee'' he would be with the Green Machine next year.
Fairfax Media understands the Raiders flew Milford's parents, Halo and Marietta, to Canberra two weeks ago, taking them to lunch with Ayoub and detailing the club's three-year offer to Milford.
Milford's parents indicated the decision would be left to their son, but stressed his preference to return to Brisbane by 2015.
It is understood Milford's parents told the Raiders they would consider coming to Canberra next year to support their son during his final season with the club.
The Raiders had been trying to assist the Milfords in a move to Canberra this year, well before Milford sought a release on compassionate grounds in August. But the plans were aborted when the family cited ongoing health concerns for Halo. Milford has returned to Australia from representing Samoa at the World Cup, announcing on Wednesday he would be joining the Broncos in 2015.
But there was confusion after reports on Friday that said Milford had given ''no guarantees'' he would be coming back to Canberra. Fairfax Media reported on Friday that chief executive Don Furner had a written guarantee from Milford and his manager, with Stuart backing those claims on Saturday.
''We're under no illusion that he'll be anywhere but Canberra next year,'' Stuart said.
''I spoke to Sam Ayoub his manager [Friday] and he gave us all the guarantees and said he wouldn't be going back on his word in regards to Anthony playing for the club.''
Stuart said he and Furner had spoken to Milford, separately, since his return to Australia. He expected Milford to report for pre-season training later this month.
''I've spoken to him once and he said he understands and accepts the fact he'll be here in '14 and his manager has said that under no circumstances he'll be playing anywhere else outside Canberra in 2014. I don't know how much more we've got to do.''
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