Legends pushing for Milford swap
BRISBANE playmaking legend Wally Lewis says the Broncos should consider switching Anthony Milford to fullback as Wayne Bennett comes under pressure to ignite his misfiring scrumbase.
Lewis’ assessment was backed by Queensland fullback great Gary Belcher, who believes Milford looks “lost” in the No.6 jumper and can benefit from a positional shift.
Bennett yesterday retained Milford at five-eighth for the Broncos’ road trip to Newcastle on Saturday night but statistics underline the playmaking struggles of the richest player in Brisbane’s 30-year history.
In the opening four games this season, $1 million man Milford has failed to score a try or register a try assist as the attacking spearhead in a Broncos side languishing in 10th place.
With fullback Darius Boyd managing a niggling hamstring injury, Lewis and Belcher believe handing Milford the No.1 jumper could spark the Broncos backline.
“Milford could have more freedom at fullback,” said “The King” Lewis, the 34game Origin great and Broncos foundation five-eighth.
“There are a few options Wayne could look at. He could play Boyd at fiveeighth in defence, which would give Milford more energy at fullback.
“Ultimately, it probably won’t matter what I or anyone else says, you won’t change Wayne Bennett’s mind too much because he likes Darius Boyd at fullback.”
In 25 career games at fullback, Milford has scored 13 tries and made a staggering 146 tackle busts – an average of almost six a game.
“Milford looks lost in the halves,” Belcher said.