Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRONCOS halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford say advice from Melbourne’s Origin stars has given them the confidence to break the longest premiership drought in Brisbane’s history.
Storm champions Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk may be plotting another Melbourne premiership but their title-winning know-how has rubbed off on Brisbane’s most important playmakers.
The blooding of Hunt and Milford in this year’s State of Origin campaign wasn’t just a shot in the arm for Queensland’s playmaking stocks.
It also gave the duo a chance to work alongside Cronk and Smith and return to the Broncos with the self-belief to deliver the club’s first premiership since 2006.
Hunt will square off against Parramatta halfback and NSW Origin hopeful Mitchell Moses on Friday night at ANZ Stadium and believes his debut in Camp Maroon has taken his game to another level.
“The biggest thing I tried to do was take in as much as I could from Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk,” said Hunt, who played off the bench in the Origin decider.
“They are two of the best in the world at what they do and it was good to see just how composed and relaxed they are no matter the situation.
“If they get behind in games, they have the same game plan and they stick to what they know they need to do.
“That’s one of the biggest things I learned from those guys — to keep a cool head and stay composed in games.
“I can’t take my spot for granted here. With Benji (Marshall) and Kodi (Nikorima) here, it puts pressure on me and ‘Milf’ (Milford).
“They are going to keep playing their best footy to force their way into the team. If we step back for one second, they will be in.”
While Hunt has his hands full matching Moses, Milford faces an equally important assignment against Eels pivot Corey Norman, who was in contention for an Origin debut this season.
Maroons hopeful Norman snapped the matchwinning field goal to sink Wests Tigers last week, but Milford says his Origin baptism has made him even more dangerous.
“I feel I have more time now,” said Milford, who replaced the injured Johnathan Thurston in the series opener.
“Origin has done a lot for my confidence. The pace of Origin was incredibly fast and I had to be on my toes.
“I learnt a lot about game management from the likes of ‘Smitty’, Cronk and having ‘Jonno’ (Thurston) in camp was massive for me. I picked his brain and took things I can bring to my game at the Broncos. It has helped me improve even more.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/3501e11b511d777bdb1a722d8fac0ab7
Storm champions Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk may be plotting another Melbourne premiership but their title-winning know-how has rubbed off on Brisbane’s most important playmakers.
The blooding of Hunt and Milford in this year’s State of Origin campaign wasn’t just a shot in the arm for Queensland’s playmaking stocks.
It also gave the duo a chance to work alongside Cronk and Smith and return to the Broncos with the self-belief to deliver the club’s first premiership since 2006.
Hunt will square off against Parramatta halfback and NSW Origin hopeful Mitchell Moses on Friday night at ANZ Stadium and believes his debut in Camp Maroon has taken his game to another level.
“The biggest thing I tried to do was take in as much as I could from Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk,” said Hunt, who played off the bench in the Origin decider.
“They are two of the best in the world at what they do and it was good to see just how composed and relaxed they are no matter the situation.
“If they get behind in games, they have the same game plan and they stick to what they know they need to do.
“That’s one of the biggest things I learned from those guys — to keep a cool head and stay composed in games.
“I can’t take my spot for granted here. With Benji (Marshall) and Kodi (Nikorima) here, it puts pressure on me and ‘Milf’ (Milford).
“They are going to keep playing their best footy to force their way into the team. If we step back for one second, they will be in.”
While Hunt has his hands full matching Moses, Milford faces an equally important assignment against Eels pivot Corey Norman, who was in contention for an Origin debut this season.
Maroons hopeful Norman snapped the matchwinning field goal to sink Wests Tigers last week, but Milford says his Origin baptism has made him even more dangerous.
“I feel I have more time now,” said Milford, who replaced the injured Johnathan Thurston in the series opener.
“Origin has done a lot for my confidence. The pace of Origin was incredibly fast and I had to be on my toes.
“I learnt a lot about game management from the likes of ‘Smitty’, Cronk and having ‘Jonno’ (Thurston) in camp was massive for me. I picked his brain and took things I can bring to my game at the Broncos. It has helped me improve even more.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/3501e11b511d777bdb1a722d8fac0ab7
