NEWS Kevvie on Milford's contract renewal: right now you'd have to say "no"

Kevin Walters is asked whether Anthony Milford has earned a new contract:

“That’s a work in progress, right now you’d have to say no."

“We need to see ‘Milf’ playing better but I’m extremely confident we can get the best out of Anthony Milford. We’re four weeks into a 25-round competition plus finals. We’re in no hurry and Anthony’s in no hurry. As long as we keep building and getting better, that’s all I’m concerned with. It’s about taking small steps. Everything we’re doing is based around that. It’s all small-picture and trying to get better each week."

"Milf has played some good football this year at stages. We are backing him all the way. He is under a lot of pressure, as is everyone in a Broncos jersey at the moment. It’s about taking little steps at a time to improve and I feel Anthony is certainly having a crack. That’s what I like about him. If and when I believe that stops happening then things will change.”

“I don’t feel there’s any uncertainty around our halves. We’ve got two good halfbacks vying for a position. There is great competition there between them and that’s what’s good about the club. Both players have got areas in their games they are working on and moving forward to get better at."

“The plan is to get those two playing well and improve on what they’ve been building on. I’ve seen some great signs there and some areas we need to be better. The players are aware of that. We’ve had good conversations this week around the three of them (Milford included) and the role they need to play in the side. The competition is about trying to get better each week. I expect those guys to be better.”

“We’re really keen to hang on to Kotoni Staggs, we believe he has a bright future at the Broncos regardless of what position he plays for us. I’m sure he can play back-row, halves and centre. He can play several positions. Right now our major focus is to retain the services of Kotoni and then we will place him somewhere in those positions over the next 12 months.”

“We’re always in the market. You guys (media) should know that. Every club is on the lookout if players become available. We will be looking, but right now we’re trying to re-sign four or five of our junior players. That’s where our major focus has been, trying to secure those guys. There’s a big, bad world out there in the player market and my job is to coach the side. We’ve got other people in our organisation to look after those areas.”

McHunt

 

[theshed]

JT, Slater, and John’s comments post the Rabbits game. It’s hard to watch, especially as it’s cut with dressing room footage of a completely dejected Milf. Cant argue with their points though. I feel for the guy (save your response about his bank account because that wouldn’t make it any easier emotionally), and I want him to leave so we can get a more suitable half, but just as much I want to see the fella enjoying his footy somewhere again.

 

[McHunt]

JT, Slater, and John’s comments post the Rabbits game. It’s hard to watch, especially as it’s cut with dressing room footage of a completely dejected Milf. Cant argue with their points though. I feel for the guy (save your response about his bank account because that wouldn’t make it any easier emotionally), and I want him to leave so we can get a more suitable half, but just as much I want to see the fella enjoying his footy somewhere again.

It’ll be interesting to see how well he combines with Billy Walters, Albert Kelly, Tyson Gamble and Cory Paix. We haven’t run out of halfbacks to destroy yet.

 

[Midean]

JT, Slater, and John’s comments post the Rabbits game. It’s hard to watch, especially as it’s cut with dressing room footage of a completely dejected Milf. Cant argue with their points though. I feel for the guy (save your response about his bank account because that wouldn’t make it any easier emotionally), and I want him to leave so we can get a more suitable half, but just as much I want to see the fella enjoying his footy somewhere again.

The bank account comments are obviously tongue in cheek sarcasm.
Of course the money would be nice, but there is no doubt Milford would be in a pretty dark place.
I don't think there is a person here who thinks badly of Milford as a person, he seems to have his priorities straight in regards to his behavior.
We never hear about him going out and getting rotten drunk, or beating his misses or hitting the nose candy and he genuinely seems like a nice person.

Im with you Theshed, i hope he can go on to find some sort of form somewhere else and that we can replace him with a more suitable fit at the Broncs.

 

[theshed]

The knights are making Milford’s defensive efforts against the titans look more acceptable. Dave is unstoppable.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Working with just what we have how would you coach them for the rest of the year? I'd like to hear your thoughts on how you'd
train them and how you'd play them, even what you'd do with our bench. Not talking about buying someone in but just using our current resources.

As annoying as Cooper Cronk is......he was on the money when we played the Storm.

Simplify your game....work towards your kick....work towards field position. Thats it......thats the only thing that matters. Anthony....I don't give a **** if your legs broken....at the end of every set, you kick the ball.....YOU.kick. the. ball.
.....its your job, EVERY set.

3 hit-ups.....then out to the backs...then put in a kick. Boring as bat shit, yes....do it well, and you start to win field position.

Defensively ...get your line speed right. This sit back and wait for them to come to you shit....aint fucken working. Move up as one...... you lazy *****.

Basically Huge......focus on the bare basic elements of the game that have worked since the game was invented.

 

[Sproj]

As annoying as Cooper Cronk is......he was on the money when we played the Storm.

Simplify your game....work towards your kick....work towards field position. Thats it......thats the only thing that matters. Anthony....I don't give a **** if your legs broken....at the end of every set, you kick the ball.....YOU.kick. the. ball.
.....its your job, EVERY set.

3 hit-ups.....then out to the backs...then put in a kick. Boring as bat shit, yes....do it well, and you start to win field position.

Defensively ...get your line speed right. This sit back and wait for them to come to you shit....aint fucken working. Move up as one...... you lazy *****.

Basically Huge......focus on the bare basic elements of the game that have worked since the game was invented.

Cronk may well have been on the money but he is just unlistenable unfortunately.

 

[lynx000]

As annoying as Cooper Cronk is......he was on the money when we played the Storm.

Simplify your game....work towards your kick....work towards field position. Thats it......thats the only thing that matters. Anthony....I don't give a **** if your legs broken....at the end of every set, you kick the ball.....YOU.kick. the. ball.
.....its your job, EVERY set.

3 hit-ups.....then out to the backs...then put in a kick. Boring as bat shit, yes....do it well, and you start to win field position.

Defensively ...get your line speed right. This sit back and wait for them to come to you shit....aint fucken working. Move up as one...... you lazy *****.

Basically Huge......focus on the bare basic elements of the game that have worked since the game was invented.

This is absolutely spot on, it is a simple game, unfortunately we are playing it like simpletons and have been for 3-4 years now.

 

[rnabokov]

This is absolutely spot on, it is a simple game, unfortunately we are playing it like simpletons and have been for 3-4 years now.

And the question is why, and why for 3-4 years now, why hasn't it changed?

The game may well be simple but executing simplicity efficiently and creatively for a bunch of leaderless rookies is rather complicated it seems.

There's, coping with accelerated ruck speed, the ball being kept in play a lot longer with faster ball movement and precise execution, the crucial importance of support play, tight marker defence, pushing up and through to give your playmakers options, fast consistent line speed for the full 80, disciplined, organised and coordinated defence on the goal line, proper defensive positioning on the edges, executing simple set plays well, eyes up ... all the things we don't do consistently, if at all. And there's a lot of them.

Maybe then, because for leaderless rookies it's rather complicated to play this simple game under massive pressure, and coaching this player group is a lot harder than anyone thinks, especially for a rookie coach, who also seems to be feeling the pinch, coaching this simple game.

But then, I suppose it could be Milford's fault. He ought to be able to fix all of that. After all, for a million bucks, you should be getting at least a few decent miracles. Maybe next week. Just pass it to Dave Milf, stand back, watch and be amazed.

Milford by 30

 

[McHunt]

Trivia corner: Anthony Milford has scored 1 try in his last 19 games. I wonder how many he's let through? David Fifita knows of a couple.

 

[theshed]

Cronk may well have been on the money but he is just unlistenable unfortunately.

Why does everyone hate on Cronks commentating? I think it’s great to have someone with 2 brain cells break down the game. Way better than the usual dolts like Blocker

 

[Kimlo]

Why does everyone hate on Cronks commentating? I think it’s great to have someone with 2 brain cells break down the game. Way better than the usual dolts like Blocker

Because he drones on about every minor play.

 

[heartly87]

Why does everyone hate on Cronks commentating? I think it’s great to have someone with 2 brain cells break down the game. Way better than the usual dolts like Blocker

He just has to learn to tighten up what he is saying, as of right now he seems to overtake the call on Fox. I think he gives good insights, much better then JT, Johns Or any of the current players on 9. He and Ennis are of the same style but Ennis I think is crisper.

 

[john1420]

Why does everyone hate on Cronks commentating? I think it’s great to have someone with 2 brain cells break down the game. Way better than the usual dolts like Blocker

I really enjoy it when Cronk commentates. Sure he isn't perfect, nobody is, but he is a whole lot better than Blocker, Gaz, Anasta etc
The bloke actually knows footy.
Vossy and Cronk are the commentating dream team :)

 

[lynx000]

And the question is why, and why for 3-4 years now, why hasn't it changed?

The game may well be simple but executing simplicity efficiently and creatively for a bunch of leaderless rookies is rather complicated it seems.

There's, coping with accelerated ruck speed, the ball being kept in play a lot longer with faster ball movement and precise execution, the crucial importance of support play, tight marker defence, pushing up and through to give your playmakers options, fast consistent line speed for the full 80, disciplined, organised and coordinated defence on the goal line, proper defensive positioning on the edges, executing simple set plays well, eyes up ... all the things we don't do consistently, if at all. And there's a lot of them.

Maybe then, because for leaderless rookies it's rather complicated to play this simple game under massive pressure, and coaching this player group is a lot harder than anyone thinks, especially for a rookie coach, who also seems to be feeling the pinch, coaching this simple game.

But then, I suppose it could be Milford's fault. He ought to be able to fix all of that. After all, for a million bucks, you should be getting at least a few decent miracles. Maybe next week. Just pass it to Dave Milf, stand back, watch and be amazed.

Milford by 30

I don't know if this was completely directed at me or just an opportunity for a rant?

If it is directed at me I do not recall ever even alleging that it is all Milf's fault. Milf has been a massive disappointment and has not earned his pay cheque. He regularly checks out of games, he is lazy, his defence is shit, he is not a game manager and does not have the instinct to be a game manager. But he is only one small part of the problem.

In a nswer to why hasn't it changed, because we have been poorly coached in my view at least since 2019, but in my view the signs were there that we were headed in this direction in 2017-2018 (more so in 2018). It may be the case that a highly experienced coach like Bennett was able to patch over things and hold the crash at bay. Who knows, he may been able to make some changes in either training/tactics or personnel to right the ship had he been given 2019-20.

 

[rnabokov]

I don't know if this was completely directed at me or just an opportunity for a rant?

If it is directed at me I do not recall ever even alleging that it is all Milf's fault. Milf has been a massive disappointment and has not earned his pay cheque. He regularly checks out of games, he is lazy, his defence is shit, he is not a game manager and does not have the instinct to be a game manager. But he is only one small part of the problem.

In a nswer to why hasn't it changed, because we have been poorly coached in my view at least since 2019, but in my view the signs were there that we were headed in this direction in 2017-2018 (more so in 2018). It may be the case that a highly experienced coach like Bennett was able to patch over things and hold the crash at bay. Who knows, he may been able to make some changes in either training/tactics or personnel to right the ship had he been given 2019-20.

Sorry mate. I ought to have been more specific. Not directed at you at all - just took your post as a launch pad for a rant.

 

[The True King]

He just has to learn to tighten up what he is saying, as of right now he seems to overtake the call on Fox. I think he gives good insights, much better then JT, Johns Or any of the current players on 9. He and Ennis are of the same style but Ennis I think is crisper.

You can tell Cronk knows what he's talking about and reads the game extremely well but right now it's hard to listen to.

In terms of delivery there's a long way to go but I'm confident with time he will become the best of them provided the Fox honchos don't mess with his messaging.

 

[007]

Manly and Tigers interested in Milf. We should help him out and offer mid season release. If he continues to struggle with us, it will hurt his own value going forward.

 

[Waynesaurus]

Both Cronk and Flanagan know what they are talking about, sadly both are really painful to listen too.