Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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MATTHEW Johns has called on Brisbane’s battling halves to do what made his brother Joey an Immortal — just “run the damn ball”.
Johns said Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt were guilty of trying to be too fancy with ball in hand and should instead attack tiring forwards themselves.
Johns’ advice came as Broncos teammates leapt to the defence of Milford, who admitted he had lost self-confidence.
The 21-year-old sensation admitted this week that the Broncos’ form slump had affected his self-belief.
The Broncos have lost five of their past seven games and can slip to seventh on the NRL ladder if they lose to the high-flying Storm on Friday night.
Johns backed the Broncos’ star halves to return to their best but said they had to stop worrying about ball-playing.
“For all Andrew’s finesse with the football he was at his best when he got the ball, took the line on and just ran,” Johns said.
“That’s what these two young playmakers need to do. I am a huge fan of Ben and Anthony and I think they are terrific players who will bounce back.
“Sometimes I feel sorry for modern day playmakers because they feel they have to be perfect.
“There is such concern with halves following structure but ask a front-rower what scares them the most and they will say a half taking them on.”
Matt and brother Andrew would rank among the game’s top five halves pairings in history but even they took years to find consistency at Newcastle.
Behind a beaten pack, Milford and Hunt have struggled since the representative period began in May.
Broncos prop Jarrod Wallace said he hoped Milford understood the Broncos players were there to help restore his confidence.
“We have a really good leadership group here and Milly knows he can go and talk to any of the older boys and coaches whenever he needs to get his confidence back,” Wallace said.
“My ones (chats) have always been the guys like (Corey Parker) and Sammy (Thaiday). When he (Milford) is happy, you can see it on the field. Our team really strives with it.”
Milford was blunt when asked about his own recent performances.
“Being a half you want to try to be a leader and boss the forwards around and I am slowly doing that,” Milford said.
“I went away from my game and there were stages where I would just drift in and out. I just needed to be better. I am slowly coming back to do that.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
Johns said Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt were guilty of trying to be too fancy with ball in hand and should instead attack tiring forwards themselves.
Johns’ advice came as Broncos teammates leapt to the defence of Milford, who admitted he had lost self-confidence.
The 21-year-old sensation admitted this week that the Broncos’ form slump had affected his self-belief.
The Broncos have lost five of their past seven games and can slip to seventh on the NRL ladder if they lose to the high-flying Storm on Friday night.
Johns backed the Broncos’ star halves to return to their best but said they had to stop worrying about ball-playing.
“For all Andrew’s finesse with the football he was at his best when he got the ball, took the line on and just ran,” Johns said.
“That’s what these two young playmakers need to do. I am a huge fan of Ben and Anthony and I think they are terrific players who will bounce back.
“Sometimes I feel sorry for modern day playmakers because they feel they have to be perfect.
“There is such concern with halves following structure but ask a front-rower what scares them the most and they will say a half taking them on.”
Matt and brother Andrew would rank among the game’s top five halves pairings in history but even they took years to find consistency at Newcastle.
Behind a beaten pack, Milford and Hunt have struggled since the representative period began in May.
Broncos prop Jarrod Wallace said he hoped Milford understood the Broncos players were there to help restore his confidence.
“We have a really good leadership group here and Milly knows he can go and talk to any of the older boys and coaches whenever he needs to get his confidence back,” Wallace said.
“My ones (chats) have always been the guys like (Corey Parker) and Sammy (Thaiday). When he (Milford) is happy, you can see it on the field. Our team really strives with it.”
Milford was blunt when asked about his own recent performances.
“Being a half you want to try to be a leader and boss the forwards around and I am slowly doing that,” Milford said.
“I went away from my game and there were stages where I would just drift in and out. I just needed to be better. I am slowly coming back to do that.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
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