GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-anthony-milford-and-ben-hunt-are-the-most-lethal-halves-in-the-nrl/story-fnp0lyn6-1227508176232
Six months ago, Hunt and Milford had never played together and were regarded as the unknown quantity that could make or break the Broncos’ premiership drive.
Now Hunt and Milford are the NRL’s hottest playmaking package, with statistics showing the duo have created more scoring plays than any rival scrumbase partnership.
Hunt said he and Milford could improve in the finals, crediting their rapid development to honest feedback from Brisbane’s last great halves pairing, Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.
“There is still room for improvement for us,” Hunt said.
“We have been consistent all year but ... the finals are going to be a good test to see what we’ve got.
“He (Walters) and Alf have been challenging us every week to run the ball and back ourselves and Milf has been doing it.
“I have to uphold my end of the deal now. Every week we’re working on our combination and the results are starting to show.”
Heading into the playoffs, Hunt and Milford have combined for a league-high 21 tries, 41 try assists, 24 line-breaks and 49 line-break assists.
In total, they have amassed 158 ‘‘big plays’’ at an average of 6.87 per game.
Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston are in second place with 108 big plays, while Roosters playmakers Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney have tallied 85.
Walters, the Broncos assistant coach, lauded Hunt and Milford’s ability to cultivate such a formidable union in one season.
“Great combinations take time to build but they are doing it already,” Walters said.
“Alfie and I played 200 games together, Ben and Anthony have played 23, so it’s scary to think how much better they can get.”
Six months ago, Hunt and Milford had never played together and were regarded as the unknown quantity that could make or break the Broncos’ premiership drive.
Now Hunt and Milford are the NRL’s hottest playmaking package, with statistics showing the duo have created more scoring plays than any rival scrumbase partnership.
Hunt said he and Milford could improve in the finals, crediting their rapid development to honest feedback from Brisbane’s last great halves pairing, Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.
“There is still room for improvement for us,” Hunt said.
“We have been consistent all year but ... the finals are going to be a good test to see what we’ve got.
“He (Walters) and Alf have been challenging us every week to run the ball and back ourselves and Milf has been doing it.
“I have to uphold my end of the deal now. Every week we’re working on our combination and the results are starting to show.”
Heading into the playoffs, Hunt and Milford have combined for a league-high 21 tries, 41 try assists, 24 line-breaks and 49 line-break assists.
In total, they have amassed 158 ‘‘big plays’’ at an average of 6.87 per game.
Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston are in second place with 108 big plays, while Roosters playmakers Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney have tallied 85.
Walters, the Broncos assistant coach, lauded Hunt and Milford’s ability to cultivate such a formidable union in one season.
“Great combinations take time to build but they are doing it already,” Walters said.
“Alfie and I played 200 games together, Ben and Anthony have played 23, so it’s scary to think how much better they can get.”
