Brisbane Broncos fear Anthony Milford could renege on deal
Dan Koch
The Australian
February 26, 2014 12:00AM
Already concerned that their bid to lure Test captain Cameron Smith home next season has failed, the Broncos are now worried they may not gain the services of boom youngster Anthony Milford.
Speculation is mounting that the Canberra Raiders are planning a last-ditch bid to retain Milford beyond this season.
Canberra officials have publicly played down the talk, but its believed the club is hopeful Milford will repeat the backflip performed by his close friend and teammate Josh Papalii, who at the last minute reneged on an agreement with Parramatta.
The Broncos hopes of convincing Milford to move north wont be boosted by revelations that his family has relocated to Canberra.
Brisbane was once the competitions glamour club, with an unequalled record of finals appearances and individual representative honours. But it is facing a major challenge to their status as an NRL heavyweight. And most experts expect Anthony Griffins undermanned squad to slide further even further than the 12th place they managed in 2013. That was the clubs lowest-ever placing on the table.
Question marks over their recruitment and retention decisions in recent seasons have not been eased by the teams dismal performances in the clubs two main trial fixtures. The 48-4 drubbing they received from the rampant Warriors in Dunedin last weekend saw them move into wooden spoon contention with several betting agencies.
Despite the arrival during the off-season of 2012 Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba, prop Martin Kennedy and talented winger Daniel Vidot, the lack of depth in the pack and proven quality in the halves looms as a big obstacle.
The planned signing of Milford for 2015 was seen as the key plank in the Broncos rebuilding strategy. Just the speculation that the deal may fall through will send shudders through the clubs enormous and expectant fan base.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed Milford will have the support of his family around him this season. His sister and parents, Halo and Marietta, moved to help ease the homesickness which led Milford to request a release.
However, Stuart said he had not broached the subject of Milfords future beyond this year with anyone since the deal with Brisbane was announced.
We are just happy he will be here this year and that is all we are focused on at the moment, Stuart said.
Still, as the new Raiders mentor learned during his time as Parramatta coach, Canberra is not a club willing to farewell its best youngsters without a fight - as it showed by convincing Papalii to renege on his deal with the Eels prior to the round 13 cut-off for the registering of contracts.
Brisbane has more immediate concerns, with the make-up of its squad unsettled for the round one game with the Bulldogs.
Dumped skipper Sam Thaiday, however, has brushed aside concerns about the teams poor trial form, promising they would be ready to go come round one.
Thats trial form and it counts for zero next week, Thaiday said. Thats when we will be playing for two points and well be ready.
