Broncos’ Origin lessons
BRONCOS halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford say advice from Melbourne’s Origin stars has given them the confidence to break Brisbane’s longest premiership drought.
Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk may be plotting another Storm premiership but their title-winning know-how has rubbed off on Brisbane’s most important playmakers.
The blooding of Hunt and Milford in this year’s State of Origin campaign wasn’t just a shot-in-the-arm for Queensland’s playmaking stocks. It also gave the duo a chance to work alongside Cronk and Smith and return with the selfbelief to deliver a first premiership since 2006.
Hunt will square off against Parramatta halfback and NSW Origin hopeful Mitchell Moses tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium and believes his debut in Camp Maroon has taken his game to another level.
“The biggest thing I tried to do was take in as much as I could from Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk,” said Hunt, who played off the bench in the Origin decider.
“They are two of the best in the world at what they do and it was good to see just how composed and relaxed they are no matter the situation. If they get behind in games, they have the same game plan and they stick to what they know they need to do.
“I can’t take my spot for granted here. With Benji (Marshall) and Kodi (Nikorima) here, it puts pressure on me and ‘Milf’ (Milford). If we step back for one second, they will be in.”
While Hunt has his hands full matching Moses, Milford faces an equally important assignment against Eels pivot Corey Norman, who was in contention for an Origin debut for Queensland this season.
Norman snapped the matchwinning field goal to sink Wests Tigers last week, but Milford said his Origin baptism had made him more dangerous.
“I feel I have more time now,” said Milford, who replaced the injured Johnathan Thurston in the series opener. Origin has done a lot for my confidence.
“The pace of Origin was incredibly fast and I learnt a lot about game management from the likes of ‘Smitty’, Cronk and having ‘Jonno’ (Thurston) in camp was massive for me. “I picked his brain and took things I can bring to my game at the Broncos.”