Revealed: Misfiring Milford’s shock asking price
- Peter Badel and Travis Meyn
Anthony Milford called an urgent meeting with Kevin Walters to discuss his Broncos future as Queensland rivals the Titans became the latest club to baulk at the embattled playmaker’s $600,000 asking price.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Milford fronted Walters for a one-on-one discussion on Wednesday at Red Hill following revelations Brisbane’s off-contract $1 million pivot will not be offered a new deal for next season.
Milford was told the Broncos
have not made a definitive call on his future, but the under fire five-eighth‘s second axing in a month is emphatic evidence Walters is losing faith in the highest-paid player in Brisbane’s history.
It is understood Broncos bosses have already begun formulating a full-time roster for 2022 and Milford’s name has not been included in their squad projections, with Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds to be Brisbane’s first-choice halves.
Milford will turn out for Souths Logan against the Capras on Sunday in the Intrust Super Cup and he needs to produce a devastating form burst to convince the Broncos to offer him a new deal.
During the meeting, Milford allegedly disputed that he was one of the chief underachievers in Brisbane’s 50-6 Magic Round loss to Manly. He agreed with Walters that his form was below par, but suggested it was difficult for playmakers to shine against a Manly side that hammered Brisbane’s forwards in midfield.
Walters confirmed the meeting and said he had put the ball in Milford’s court to prove he deserves a new contract.
Former Queensland coach Kevin Walters (left), now at the Broncos, was the mentor who gave Anthony Milford his maiden Maroons Origin jumper.
“Milf and I have had a discussion and he is aware of what he needs to work on,” Walters said.
“It’s not the end. It’s up to Anthony, he makes that decision (on his future), not me.
“I keep saying Anthony has control of his career, not the Broncos or this football club.
“Right now is the time (for him to perform), when he went back last time to the Intrust Super Cup he performed well, so we expect him to do the same.
“There’s lot of parts in his game that need work and he will go back and work on that in the Intrust Super Cup.
“We have a clear picture on where we are going and how we are going about it.”
Milford’s management is seeking around $600,000 a season from prospective NRL suitors, but that price tag could convince the Titans to walk away from signing the former Queensland Origin super-sub.
The Titans are reluctant to pay more than $400,000 annually for Milford. Titans coach Justin Holbrook has some interest in Milford, but it is believed Gold Coast culture boss Mal Meninga is not interested in a bidding war for the 26-year-old.
Anthony Milford wants to remain a Bronco but Alex Glenn thinks change could be good for the embattled playmaker.
Broncos skipper Alex Glenn said Milford was a victim of his much-hyped $1 million salary.
“The reality of it is if ‘Milf’ wasn’t on a million dollars, he wouldn’t be getting dropped. That’s the reality I feel,” he said.
“The pay packet definitely puts pressure on him, his name and his future in the game.
“That is something Milf is struggling with – blocking out that pressure. We shouldn’t put too much pressure on him because of his pay packet.
“In order for him to get back to playing his best footy, he needs to find the love of why he started playing again.”
Asked if a move to the Titans could represent a fresh start for Milford, Glenn said: “Change is never a bad thing, it challenges you to go out of your comfort zone,
“I’d love to see him stay at the Broncos, but if change is part of his future I don’t see it being a bad thing for him.
“Milf plays his best when he is free … he needs to find the love in footy again.”
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