How many times should he run?
NRLStats.com have him down for 12 runs.
While Prozone (via Big League magazine) has him down for 16 runs.
So let's say it's 14 runs, that's actually more than Josh Hoffman who was used primarily as a running five eighth.
I don't think it's his running game that's letting him down. If anything, Milford needs to help Ben Hunt out more with the playmaking duties. Out of every half in the competition, none have put in as many kicks as Hunt. Considering his kicking game is considered a weakness, the stat is alarming and Milford really needs to take some of the pressure off Hunt.
The shape/structure of the team dictates in large part how and when Milford runs. It is for me not a question of how many times he runs, but how he runs and when.
Running and play making as a FB is different to playing in the halves. He still seems to be trying to get his head around the differences although it looks to me like things are starting to click. He does take on the line, and he has combined well with Glenn, as well as putting in some nice short kicks.
I think it won't be too long before he finds that timing P refers to, and I am sure I have seen him "long kick" well in the past. As many of us observe, it's just a matter of time.. so to speak.
As for working with Hunt, same thing. From what I have read, Bennett wants Milf to have more of a roving commission on both sides, standing deeper, and for mine, it's just a matter of time before Milford's combinations with Hunt and our back rowers start to gel.
I would like to see both Hunt and Milford develop a similar working relationship to what Pearce and Maloney have with the way the Roosters use Cordner and Guerra. I still don't believe we focus enough on our edge attack. Gillett and Glenn are for mine under utilised although again, Milford and Glenn seem to be working hard on fixing that. What I want to see now is a lot more quality ball to Gillett.
Despite my long held view that Milford would have served us best as FB, I can see him becoming a devastating 5/8 in the near future, and I am sure that Bennett is doing everything he can to make that happen.
