Bennett gets his $4m man as Milford to stay
ANTHONY Milford will sign a $4 million deal with Brisbane tomorrow after Wayne Bennett last night confirmed the Broncos had staved off a poaching raid from the Storm.
News Corp can reveal Milford has sacrificed $800,000 to remain at the Broncos as he prepares to ink a deal keeping him at Red Hill until the end of 2021.
Bennett vowed he would not lose the fight for Milford and the super coach has got his man, securing the playmaker he is grooming to be a 10-year player at the Broncos.
The Storm attempted to blow Brisbane out of the water with a club-record $1.2 milliona-season offer, but Milford advised Melbourne yesterday he was staying loyal.
Bennett and Milford will be enemies tonight when England and Samoa clash at Campbelltown Stadium, but they will reunite tomorrow when the five-eighth sensation agrees to terms.
The Broncos plan to publicly announce Milford’s retention by Monday on a four-year deal that will make him the first $1 million player in Brisbane’s 29-year history.
“At this point in time the deal hasn’t been finalised, but it’s on the right track,” Bennett said last night.
“We just have to fall into line on a few minor things but as I said all along, I was confident of keeping Anthony.”
The news comes as a huge relief for the Broncos, who were in danger of having their scrumbase torn apart following the Dragons’ successful raid on Milford’s halves partner Ben Hunt.
The Storm’s offer was more lucrative than that of the Broncos, who originally discussed a three-year arrangement for Milford worth $900,000 a season.
The Broncos upped the ante on Thursday night, hitting back with a $4 million package bolstered by NRL-approved third party agreements.
The Storm must now continue the hunt for a marquee playmaker to succeed Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk.