Bennett quashes lazy talk
ANTHONY Milford enters tonight’s clash against Canberra under siege following allegations he had been deemed a lazy trainer by Bronco teammate Benji Marshall.
In a dramatic build- up to the Broncos- Raiders showdown at Suncorp Stadium, coach Wayne Bennett revealed he confronted a player about the source of the insult.
Bennett did not publicly disclose his identity – but the player is Marshall.
Marshall assured Bennett he did not bag Milford. But the Brisbane five- eighth’s fitness has been an issue, with Milford copping lighthearted jibes from teammates after he reported for pre- season in November noticeably overweight.
Milford has since trimmed down and was a revelation in the season opener, scoring the match- winning try to sink premiers the Sharks.
Milford will soon sign a $ 2.7 million deal and Bennett yesterday moved to quash speculation of a player rift.
The coach said he now believed a journalist had made up the comment about Milford.
Bennett’s riposte followed Wednesday night’s NRL program on Fox Sports, on which News Corp journalist Paul Kent detailed concerns about Milford’s attitude.
“He’s a guy who enjoys his off- season, he generally comes back and his skinfolds give the medical staff a heart attack,” said Kent, adding: “Benji Marshall’s horrified by it. It’s not good enough.”
Marshall was a regular panellist on the Fox Sports program last year, fuelling speculation he may have leaked information on Milford.
It is a saga the Broncos can do without as Milford prepares to face his former Raiders club tonight, hoping to snap Brisbane’s two- game losing streak.
Bennett rubbished suggestions Milford is a poor trainer.
“Anthony has a good work ethic,” Bennett said.
“We don’t have a problem with Anthony Milford in any form, shape or manner.
“There are things that happen in a workplace, there is inhouse stuff that should stay in there and we are no different at the Broncos.
“Anthony doesn’t have a poor work ethic. You guys are here every day, you see him out here with everybody, he doesn’t take shortcuts ... he doesn’t miss anything.”