NRL EXILE
In the coming days, Milford will have his Knights contract formally registered by NRL boss Andrew Abdo. He is expected to make his Newcastle debut this week against the Broncos club that pushed him out of the Red Hill exits. When Milford runs onto McDonald Jones Stadium, it will be his first NRL game in 257 days.
He last played for the Broncos on September 4, 2021 before a wild night out in Brisbane two weeks later which saw Milford hit with three counts of assault, including allegations of violence towards a female member of the public. Last month, a Brisbane court dismissed the assault charges. Milford was instead placed on a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to public nuisance and wilful damage charges. His short-term deal with the Knights represents Milford’s chance to pick up the pieces of his 193-game NRL career after spending the past six months largely training alone in a Brisbane park. “I’m just relieved to be back playing rugby league again,” he said.
“I’m grateful to the Knights for being interested in me at a difficult time in my life. They’ve had my back through this situation when others didn’t.
“I’m glad the NRL allowed me to come back, provided I did the stuff they wanted me to do and I’m doing that.”
NRL bosses told Milford his Knights deal was conditional on him undergoing education and personal-development courses. Abdo on Friday praised Milford for his commitment to the program.
“I have had a couple of counselling sessions,” he said.
“I had another one booked for (last) Tuesday but the counsellor ended up getting Covid, so I couldn’t do that and we have rescheduled. I am happy to finish the sessions.
“The first session I told them my story and what I’ve gone through and they are looking at ways they can help me in different situations. We’ll be coming up with a plan on what we can do moving forward.
“Training alone wasn’t easy. I would go to a gym at West End and I would go run at a park Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s really different to being at training in the NRL with a group of guys and coaches who keep you motivated.
“I tried to get a game at Souths Logan because I just wanted to play some football, but I wasn’t allowed to play until my court case was finished.”
THE LEGAL FIGHT
Milford’s Broncos contract expired on October 31, meaning he went unpaid for six months during his court battle. Legal documents show Milford lost a six-figure sum from a saga which represented the most harrowing period of his life.
What particularly hurt Milford were allegations he was violent towards women on the night in question. A Brisbane court acquitted Milford of those charges.
“I have great respect for women,” he says. “I have two young daughters and I would never want them to be treated in a bad way, so I’m not that sort of person.
“My daughters are a big part of my life and I want to make sure I give them everything they need and I want to raise them in the right way.
“It’s about them now, they are more important than me.
“I was cleared of all the assault charges. I knew all along I was not guilty of what I was accused of. This has been my first incident in 10 years playing the NRL, so I would like to think my behaviour has been pretty good.
“I understand the role that NRL players play. I understand we are in the spotlight and I definitely want to make amends. I don’t want to step out of line again and put people I love in that situation ever again.
“I am lucky I had great support through that time. My closest friends and family never questioned me once.
“They know the real me and there were many lies, but I cleared my name.”
