Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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THE honeymoon is over for Anthony Milford, with “The King” Wally Lewis declaring Brisbane’s No. 6 must forget about his shoulder woes and step up for the Broncos.
Milford will be Brisbane’s chief playmaker for the remainder of the season following halfback Ben Hunt’s move to replace injured hooker Andrew McCullough.
Milford thrived on the responsibility when Hunt was injured earlier this year, guiding the Broncos to five straight wins alongside fill-in No. 7 Kodi Nikorima.
That was until he suffered a dislocated shoulder which requires surgery, an operation Milford is hoping to delay until the off-season.
The 23-year-old has looked timid at times in his three matches back with a heavily strapped shoulder.
But with Brisbane’s premiership hopes on the line and having signed a $1 million-a-season contract extension, Lewis said there was no room for excuses.
“If you’re back on deck then you are regarded as being fit and good enough,” Lewis said.
“There might be one or two games to enjoy a return and get the confidence back but after that there is nothing else.
“You’ve got to be producing your best, particularly with the finals just around the corner.
“Having come back from a shoulder injury myself, there is that bit of concern and doubt in your mind.
The more games he plays, the more confidence he’s going to get.
“You’ve got to have the belief.”
Broncos fans will get another look at their 2018 halves duo when Milford and Nikorima confront the Titans in Saturday’s derby at Cbus Super Stadium.
The combination is unbeaten in six starts this season with the youngsters having had a long association together that dates back to their junior days.
While they have enjoyed playing alongside each other, Milford denied the onus was on him solely to take control.
“It’s not more responsibility (for me). The role will be shared,” Milford said.
“Kodi’s been working really hard with our kicking staff here.
“We need to continue playing footy for the whole 80 and taking more control.”
Maroons coach Kevin Walters has no doubts Milford will be able to manage his dodgy shoulder for the remainder of the year after he made his State of Origin debut this year.
“Anthony’s experience in Origin has certainly helped his game,” he said.
“The shoulder won’t bother him too much, he’s a tough little bugger Anthony so I don’t have any concerns about him playing tough in the finals.
“Wayne (Bennett, coach) has some work to do with the Broncos. McCullough is a huge loss but their saving grace is they have time to build new combinations and Anthony, being the constant at five-eighth, is crucial to their spine.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/4f8639c6b2e39f3249a9e9914732300f
Milford will be Brisbane’s chief playmaker for the remainder of the season following halfback Ben Hunt’s move to replace injured hooker Andrew McCullough.
Milford thrived on the responsibility when Hunt was injured earlier this year, guiding the Broncos to five straight wins alongside fill-in No. 7 Kodi Nikorima.
That was until he suffered a dislocated shoulder which requires surgery, an operation Milford is hoping to delay until the off-season.
The 23-year-old has looked timid at times in his three matches back with a heavily strapped shoulder.
But with Brisbane’s premiership hopes on the line and having signed a $1 million-a-season contract extension, Lewis said there was no room for excuses.
“If you’re back on deck then you are regarded as being fit and good enough,” Lewis said.
“There might be one or two games to enjoy a return and get the confidence back but after that there is nothing else.
“You’ve got to be producing your best, particularly with the finals just around the corner.
“Having come back from a shoulder injury myself, there is that bit of concern and doubt in your mind.
The more games he plays, the more confidence he’s going to get.
“You’ve got to have the belief.”
Broncos fans will get another look at their 2018 halves duo when Milford and Nikorima confront the Titans in Saturday’s derby at Cbus Super Stadium.
The combination is unbeaten in six starts this season with the youngsters having had a long association together that dates back to their junior days.
While they have enjoyed playing alongside each other, Milford denied the onus was on him solely to take control.
“It’s not more responsibility (for me). The role will be shared,” Milford said.
“Kodi’s been working really hard with our kicking staff here.
“We need to continue playing footy for the whole 80 and taking more control.”
Maroons coach Kevin Walters has no doubts Milford will be able to manage his dodgy shoulder for the remainder of the year after he made his State of Origin debut this year.
“Anthony’s experience in Origin has certainly helped his game,” he said.
“The shoulder won’t bother him too much, he’s a tough little bugger Anthony so I don’t have any concerns about him playing tough in the finals.
“Wayne (Bennett, coach) has some work to do with the Broncos. McCullough is a huge loss but their saving grace is they have time to build new combinations and Anthony, being the constant at five-eighth, is crucial to their spine.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/4f8639c6b2e39f3249a9e9914732300f
