Broncos, Bunnies consider Milford, Gagai swap
WAYNE Bennett says Souths will consider throwing a lifeline to unwanted Bronco Anthony Milford as the Rabbitohs face a poaching threat from Brisbane for Queensland Origin star Dane Gagai.
It is understood the Rabbitohs are open to the idea of signing Milford, but his possible shift from Red Hill to Redfern hinges on South Sydney’s battle to retain Maroons flyer Gagai. With the NRL finals on the horizon, Gagai remains off-contract and it is understood the Rabbitohs are considering beefing-up their original 12-month offer to two years to keep the 30-year-old.
But the prospect of Gagai defecting to the Broncos, coupled with Benji Marshall inching towards retirement, would give the Rabbitohs the funds to make a play for besieged Broncos playmaker Milford.
With Parramatta’s interest in Milford cooling, the Rabbitohs shape as a frontline contender for his signature given the $1m man’s history with Bennett’s successor Jason Demetriou, who worked with the five-eighth at Brisbane.
Former Broncos assistant Demetriou will back himself to get Milford firing again and Bennett believes the Rabbitohs could be a good fit for the former Queensland Origin utility.
“I don’t know where ‘Milf’ will end up, but Jason is pretty close to Anthony,” said Bennett, who will pass the Souths coaching baton to
Demetriou at season’s end. “Jason likes him and has worked with him so there might be an opportunity.
“Jason would be happy to have him at the club, but I don’t know what Milf is chasing and how much money the club has left in the cap.”
The Broncos are yet to table a formal offer to Gagai due to salarycap restrictions.
“Dane is a player that remains on our radar,” Broncos football boss Ben Ikin said. “It depends what we can afford.”