Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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ANTHONY Milford has been cleared to face the Bulldogs after the Broncos went into lockdown before Thursday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos received a major boost when star pivot Milford, who failed to finish training on Monday, was given the green light to play after taking part in the captain’s run.
Brisbane’s final training run was still shrouded in mystery after the Broncos shifted the session from Red Hill to Suncorp Stadium for the first time this season.
The move came at the request of Broncos players, underlining the importance of a clash that could decide the top-four fate of the fourth-placed Bulldogs and sixth-placed Brisbane.
There were fears Milford would be a late scratching but the classy No.6 will take on the Bulldogs after his scintillating return to form against the Eels last week.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett confirmed there would be no late changes, meaning Kiwi Test star Jordan Kahu (pectoral muscle) will return from injury on the right flank at the expense of two-try debutant Jonus Pearson.
“Anthony is playing, the team picked is 1-17,” Bennett said. “It was only a minor problem (with Milford), nothing serious.
“I don’t think Jordan (Kahu) is up to playing in the centres at the moment. He is fit but he needs to get some football and get some confidence.’’
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler is bracing for an Origin-style tussle but Bennett played down the shift to Suncorp, insisting it was business as usual at the Broncos.
The media were banned from attending the session, instead left to wait at Red Hill as Bennett and Broncos players returned to headquarters for their post-session recovery work.
“We just wanted a change of venue and we decided to go to Suncorp,” Bennett said. “We haven’t been there all year so there was no more to it than that really.
“I didn’t read a lot into it. The players just thought they needed a change, it was their idea, I’m not sure what they were driving, I didn’t ask a lot of questions.
“We normally go there once or twice a year but we haven’t been there this year. A change of venue is sometimes all they need to freshen up a bit. They said they wanted to go there so I said we’ll do it.’’
Bennett said the top-four equation was the last thing on they were worried about as the Broncos look to atone for their 40-14 hammering by the Bulldogs in Round 16.
“They are a big team and we’re not the biggest team in the competition,’’ he said. “We’ve played them enough times but the boys will have to handle it.
“We haven’t talked about the top four, our main challenge now is to play consistently well between now and the next two games. If we do that, who knows what we can do.
“The Bulldogs have a couple of very skilful forwards, they play different to other teams but that’s who they are.
“I don’t feel we’re in finals football, but we’ve picked up our act and we need to continue to build momentum.’’
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
The Broncos received a major boost when star pivot Milford, who failed to finish training on Monday, was given the green light to play after taking part in the captain’s run.
Brisbane’s final training run was still shrouded in mystery after the Broncos shifted the session from Red Hill to Suncorp Stadium for the first time this season.
The move came at the request of Broncos players, underlining the importance of a clash that could decide the top-four fate of the fourth-placed Bulldogs and sixth-placed Brisbane.
There were fears Milford would be a late scratching but the classy No.6 will take on the Bulldogs after his scintillating return to form against the Eels last week.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett confirmed there would be no late changes, meaning Kiwi Test star Jordan Kahu (pectoral muscle) will return from injury on the right flank at the expense of two-try debutant Jonus Pearson.
“Anthony is playing, the team picked is 1-17,” Bennett said. “It was only a minor problem (with Milford), nothing serious.
“I don’t think Jordan (Kahu) is up to playing in the centres at the moment. He is fit but he needs to get some football and get some confidence.’’
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler is bracing for an Origin-style tussle but Bennett played down the shift to Suncorp, insisting it was business as usual at the Broncos.
The media were banned from attending the session, instead left to wait at Red Hill as Bennett and Broncos players returned to headquarters for their post-session recovery work.
“We just wanted a change of venue and we decided to go to Suncorp,” Bennett said. “We haven’t been there all year so there was no more to it than that really.
“I didn’t read a lot into it. The players just thought they needed a change, it was their idea, I’m not sure what they were driving, I didn’t ask a lot of questions.
“We normally go there once or twice a year but we haven’t been there this year. A change of venue is sometimes all they need to freshen up a bit. They said they wanted to go there so I said we’ll do it.’’
Bennett said the top-four equation was the last thing on they were worried about as the Broncos look to atone for their 40-14 hammering by the Bulldogs in Round 16.
“They are a big team and we’re not the biggest team in the competition,’’ he said. “We’ve played them enough times but the boys will have to handle it.
“We haven’t talked about the top four, our main challenge now is to play consistently well between now and the next two games. If we do that, who knows what we can do.
“The Bulldogs have a couple of very skilful forwards, they play different to other teams but that’s who they are.
“I don’t feel we’re in finals football, but we’ve picked up our act and we need to continue to build momentum.’’
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
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