NEWS Milford primed for 6 of the best next to Croft

[Kooly87]

That one would be one theory, but I'm keen to actually see it for myself. You can miss a lot about a player's performance when you don't break it all down.

I'm certainly in the camp of 'Milford isn't proving good value and needs to do more' but even I'd acknowledge that he plays as part of a far less cohesive spine than nearly all those other guys. He's been asked to do a lot more with a lot less support and his game has suffered, partly our fault and partly his fault too.

The Roosters with Cronk, Tedesco and Friend/Radley have really been the benchmark spine for two years now and that no doubt helps Keary a great deal with the time and space to work his magic. Souths spine is also fairly potent with a world class Dummy Half and a very competent and settled Halfback, so again, it allows Cody Walker the freedom to just do his job. Melbourne have a similar setup for Munster and Canberra had a break out year for their spine which really allowed Wighton to find his niche and kill it the longer he played in the 5/8 role, even with a competent and experienced, if fairly limited, Aiden Sezer alongside him.

Milford and Morgan both fall into the same category for mine. Supremely talented and worth every cent when they are on, but both have honestly failed to really deliver consistently enough in recent seasons. Both have extenuating circumstances (Morgan, through some personnel changes and his own injuries, and Milford through major personnel changes and a very poor supporting cast around him in the spine) but both are now arguably in much better positions going into 2020, so I think for both players it's really time to aim up and deliver on their ability and their pay cheques. Because of injuries I'm probably inclined to give Morgan a little more slack, but both these guys need to be making the Queensland selection panel's job very hard this year for good reasons instead of bad reasons and both really need to be helping lead a charge deep into the finals come September.

 

[Morepudding]

I haven't come across anything to suggest Keary is being shifted to halfback. At this stage, the halves are set to be Keary/Flanagan. Even if that doesn't work out and if Mitchell ends up honouring his final year, you will still see Keary lining up on the same spot on the field as Milford.

Otherwise it's an interesting point and I agree that Milford isn't far off. The way things stand though you've got Luke Keary, Cameron Munster, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton ahead of him. You could make a case for Michael Morgan, Corey Norman and Benji Marshall as well. I don't think Milford can rest on his laurels either with some of the talent coming through. Dylan Brown, Jarome Luai, Matt Burton etc. could all have break out years. Even players like Dylan Walker and Shaun Johnson are capable on their day.

I really need to go back and watch Cody Walker and Luke Keary closely. For mine they are the bench mark and I'm curious to see what they do that seperates them from Milford.

The main thing they do that separates them from Milford, isn't something they do. It's the fact they have a spine. 2015 Milford is better than any of them, and that was arguably the last time he had a spine that had any sort of competence.

 

[upthebroncs]

Chris Sandow was better than Milford has ever been

 

[Big Pete]

The main thing they do that separates them from Milford, isn't something they do. It's the fact they have a spine. 2015 Milford is better than any of them, and that was arguably the last time he had a spine that had any sort of competence.

I don't think there's anything to gain by blaming a player's shortcomings on his team mates. Lockyer usually had a skeleton crew of a spine to work with, but that didn't stop him from being one of the best players in the game.

It can certainly give players more opportunities, but they still have to execute and perform their role.

 

[Bongo]

Chris Sandow was better than Milford has ever been

I can't agree. Sandow never took a team to a final series let a lone a grand final. He had an exciting play in him on occasion but that was it. I don't even know what Sandow is doing now and if it is even in rugby league.

 

[Harry Sack]

I can't agree. Sandow never took a team to a final series let a lone a grand final. He had an exciting play in him on occasion but that was it. I don't even know what Sandow is doing now and if it is even in rugby league.

Last I heard of him he was playing bush league and was pretty out of shape. Was a great little player when he wanted to be but I'll take Milford over him any day of the week.

 

[broncsgoat]

Chris Sandow was better than Milford has ever been

lol what the **** have you been smoking?

 

[holdzy]

lol what the **** have you been smoking?

That's crack rock talking.

 

[NSW stables]

That's crack rock talking.

Nope, even people on crack make far more sense than that statement

 

[Pub Steak]

The one thing that all those other teams have to make Keary, Munster, Wighton and C Walker stand out is one superstar beside them directing traffic which allows them to concentrate on their running and weaving magic (a 5/8s role). Keary had Cronk, Munster has Smith, Wighton has Hodges and Walker has Cook. Some of those teams also have a second gun in the spine also (Tedesco, Hughes/Papa, Nicol-Clokstad, Reynolds). Milf has had Macca at 9, Boyd at 1 and various amateurs at 7. Not putting the young 7s from the Broncos down, just they haven't got the cool old head needed yet to effectively be a foil for milf. I feel like he will go well this year but he still has an inexperienced half, hooker and fullback to rely on. One thing he should have going for him is with that monster pack, if Turpin gets the 9 jersey, faster play the balls and going to see Milf find space and with some space he will shred defensive structures. Bring on 2020 i say!

 

[Gaz]

The one thing that all those other teams have to make Keary, Munster, Wighton and C Walker stand out is one superstar beside them directing traffic which allows them to concentrate on their running and weaving magic (a 5/8s role). Keary had Cronk, Munster has Smith, Wighton has Hodges and Walker has Cook. Some of those teams also have a second gun in the spine also (Tedesco, Hughes/Papa, Nicol-Clokstad, Reynolds). Milf has had Macca at 9, Boyd at 1 and various amateurs at 7. Not putting the young 7s from the Broncos down, just they haven't got the cool old head needed yet to effectively be a foil for milf. I feel like he will go well this year but he still has an inexperienced half, hooker and fullback to rely on. One thing he should have going for him is with that monster pack, if Turpin gets the 9 jersey, faster play the balls and going to see Milf find space and with some space he will shred defensive structures. Bring on 2020 i say!

Of the duo’s you've mentioned it’s mostly to do with the dummy half. In my time I was the 7 and it mostly revolved about me. Times change and I believe the no 7 has now relinquished his status to the nine. IMHO teams with a gun nine have a head start on all the others. Hope Turps is up to it. When we had Milf an Niko in the halves and Hunt at dummy half we did alright If not Turps perhaps Paix with Croft and Milf will do the job. I can see good days ahead whatever.

 

[Huge]

The one thing that all those other teams have to make Keary, Munster, Wighton and C Walker stand out is one superstar beside them directing traffic which allows them to concentrate on their running and weaving magic (a 5/8s role). Keary had Cronk, Munster has Smith, Wighton has Hodges and Walker has Cook. Some of those teams also have a second gun in the spine also (Tedesco, Hughes/Papa, Nicol-Clokstad, Reynolds). Milf has had Macca at 9, Boyd at 1 and various amateurs at 7. Not putting the young 7s from the Broncos down, just they haven't got the cool old head needed yet to effectively be a foil for milf. I feel like he will go well this year but he still has an inexperienced half, hooker and fullback to rely on. One thing he should have going for him is with that monster pack, if Turpin gets the 9 jersey, faster play the balls and going to see Milf find space and with some space he will shred defensive structures. Bring on 2020 i say!

Mmm, I like the thinking here. It does make a bit of sense really because this past year we really haven't had any special talents causing extra headaches.

 

[winslow_wong]

The one thing that all those other teams have to make Keary, Munster, Wighton and C Walker stand out is one superstar beside them directing traffic which allows them to concentrate on their running and weaving magic (a 5/8s role). Keary had Cronk, Munster has Smith, Wighton has Hodges and Walker has Cook. Some of those teams also have a second gun in the spine also (Tedesco, Hughes/Papa, Nicol-Clokstad, Reynolds). Milf has had Macca at 9, Boyd at 1 and various amateurs at 7. Not putting the young 7s from the Broncos down, just they haven't got the cool old head needed yet to effectively be a foil for milf. I feel like he will go well this year but he still has an inexperienced half, hooker and fullback to rely on. One thing he should have going for him is with that monster pack, if Turpin gets the 9 jersey, faster play the balls and going to see Milf find space and with some space he will shred defensive structures. Bring on 2020 i say!

Yeah Milford had Milford at 7 and then he also had Milford at 1 to try link to the outside backs. I think there was also plans to put Milford at 9 too

 

[abashii]

Wighton has Hodges

Josh Hodgson? He's ok out of dummy half, not sure he qualifies as an honorary Hodges though.

 

[TariqT]

I think people are too hard on Milf much of the time, and discount his improvement over the past few years, namely his kicking game. Since Ben Hunt left he really hasn't much support managing the team, and creating opportunities for fellow players. I was watching his 2015/6 highlight reel and at his peak I think he's better than any 5/8 currently playing the game. I think his game management is underrated too, he just hasn't had the brains around him to help implement it. Plus the guy can pot a field goal from anywhere.
Comparisons with Lockyer are unfair, and it seems many have forgotten that in the couple years prior to our 2016 premiership Lockyer was under intense scrutiny to the point he wasn't going to picked for Origin. In fact his 5/8 play was considered to be a failure at first. Also it's important to mention he had a forward pack that contained Thorn, Webcke, Civoniceva, Carrol, Berrigan, Thaiday, Parker, and Carlaw, and a backline that had Hunt, Tate, Hodges and Boyd - essentially a team of internationals with massive origin and Test experience. Most of whom were at the peak of their powers, or nearing it.
Milfs kicking in general play has improved by leaps and bounds, and his skill level has never been in any doubt. He's just been in a team that hasn't been getting over the advantage line as much as we need for his game to shine. It looked like this past year he was carrying the weight of the team on his shoulders and you could see his game suffer for it. With another year under this young teams belt, a new halfback (who I personally think is a great addition), and what appears a commitment from him to get fit and show his mettle and haters wrong, I'm predicting a great year (baring injury) for him. At his best he is Australian rep worthy, and if you asked me to pick between him and any other 5/8 in the comp, I'd choose Mile without doubt.

 

[holdzy]

I think people are too hard on Milf much of the time, and discount his improvement over the past few years, namely his kicking game. Since Ben Hunt left he really hasn't much support managing the team, and creating opportunities for fellow players. I was watching his 2015/6 highlight reel and at his peak I think he's better than any 5/8 currently playing the game. I think his game management is underrated too, he just hasn't had the brains around him to help implement it. Plus the guy can pot a field goal from anywhere.
Comparisons with Lockyer are unfair, and it seems many have forgotten that in the couple years prior to our 2016 premiership Lockyer was under intense scrutiny to the point he wasn't going to picked for Origin. In fact his 5/8 play was considered to be a failure at first. Also it's important to mention he had a forward pack that contained Thorn, Webcke, Civoniceva, Carrol, Berrigan, Thaiday, Parker, and Carlaw, and a backline that had Hunt, Tate, Hodges and Boyd - essentially a team of internationals with massive origin and Test experience. Most of whom were at the peak of their powers, or nearing it.
Milfs kicking in general play has improved by leaps and bounds, and his skill level has never been in any doubt. He's just been in a team that hasn't been getting over the advantage line as much as we need for his game to shine. It looked like this past year he was carrying the weight of the team on his shoulders and you could see his game suffer for it. With another year under this young teams belt, a new halfback (who I personally think is a great addition), and what appears a commitment from him to get fit and show his mettle and haters wrong, I'm predicting a great year (baring injury) for him. At his best he is Australian rep worthy, and if you asked me to pick between him and any other 5/8 in the comp, I'd choose Mile without doubt.

He's certainly been guilty of not injecting himself enough at times. There's picking your moments and then there is avoiding taking control when you should. His spot has never been in jeopardy before, next year he will have to play very well and I agree that he will. Exciting times ahead for the Broncos.

 

[Alec]

He should have a decent spine around him this upcoming year. If he doesn't deliver, there should be no more excuses.

 

[Pub Steak]

Josh Hodgson? He's ok out of dummy half, not sure he qualifies as an honorary Hodges though.

Haha yeah. Autocorrect on my phone is set to change players names to Hodges when I'm speaking positively about them. Also heard David Hodges Hodges Hodges *Fifita is signing a contract this week. Merry Christmas to us!