News Corp can reveal Milford could be back playing as soon as April with the Knights, who are ready to issue a $150,000 lifeline after his planned move to South Sydney collapsed.
The Rabbitohs had signed Milford to a one-year contract, but the NRL refused to formally register the deal following his arrest on September 20 for allegedly assaulting three people, including two women, during an alcohol-fuelled incident in Brisbane.
However, Milford’s return to rugby league – after four frustrating months in NRL exile – is imminent.
It is understood two of three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm levelled against the former Queensland Origin utility could be dropped.
Milford will plead not guilty to the third charge, while he is also facing one count of wilful damage.
The 27-year-old was due to appear in court on Monday, where two assault charges were to be discontinued, only for Milford’s hearing to be adjourned due to the flood crisis engulfing Brisbane.
CCTV footage from the night in question shows two women attacking Milford with a volley of punches. The former Broncos five-eighth does not retaliate, instead venting his anger by picking up a bin and throwing it, damaging a nearby vehicle.
Milford’s next court date could be as early as March 30 and a favourable outcome would clear him for NRL registration immediately – opening the door for the Knights to pounce.
The Broncos’ one-time $1 million playmaker was hoping to continue his career at South Sydney this year, but the Rabbitohs have gone cold on formalising the Milford deal and will not stand in the way of his transfer to Newcastle.
The Knights are on the hunt for the halves – Newcastle recruitment chief Clint Zammit is currently in England on a scouting mission – and Milford is viewed as a handy playmaking foil for superstar fullback Ponga.
Milford could be available for selection for Newcastle’s round-five clash against Manly on Thursday, April 7.
The Knights are skinny at the scrumbase following Mitchell Pearce’s move to the Super League and halves Jake Clifford and Adam Clune would be bolstered by the arrival of Milford on a cut-price, seven-month deal.
At his peak, Milford went within a whisker of winning the 2015 Clive Churchill Medal and the Samoan Test ace could relish the prospect of forging an attacking strike force with Ponga free of the burden of his mega $1 million contract at the Broncos.
Milford’s stint in Newcastle is likely to be a hit-and-run mission, with the veteran of 193 NRL games tipped to return to Queensland and reunite with Wayne Bennett for the Dolphins’ foundation year in 2023.
Milford’s lawyer Dave Garratt declined to comment, saying the matter was still before the courts. A fortnight ago, new Souths coach Jason Demetriou said he was keen to have Milford at Redfern, but he is set to lose the battle with Rabbitohs officialdom.
“I want Anthony to come and play for South Sydney,” said Demetriou, who worked with Milford as Bennett’s Broncos assistant in 2017-18.
“Up until the charges were made, he was on his way here.
“At the moment, my main concern is about Anthony’s welfare, as a friend I want him to be able to clear his name.
“I’m keen to have Anthony here this year, but if it doesn’t work out, it’s next man up and we have some talented young kids who can step up and do the job.”
Bennett coached Milford for four years at the Broncos and confirmed he is keen to have him on the Dolphins’ books for their inaugural season.
“Anthony is only 27 years old, he has played almost 200 games, so his best football is still ahead of him,” Bennett said.
“He went through a contrast from being in a grand final to being at a club that won the wooden spoon. There is more maturity in his game now.
“There’s no doubt Anthony has lost his confidence over the last few years, but I’m confident I can help ‘Milf’ turn things around.”
An NRL spokesman said the governing body won’t consider registering any contract from Milford until legal proceedings are complete.
