Greats reckon it’s time to move Milford
B R I S B A N E p l a y m a k i n g 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’s assessment was backed up by Queensland fullback great Gary Belcher, who believed Milford looked “lost” in the No. 6 jumper.
Bennett yesterday retained Milford at five- eighth for Saturday night’s road trip to Newcastle, but statistics underline the playmaking struggles of the richest player in the club’s 30- year history.
In this season’s opening four games, the $ 1 million man has failed to score a try or register a try assist as the attacking spearhead in a side languishing in 10th place.
With fullback Darius Boyd managing a niggling hamstring injury, Lewis and Belcher said handing Milford the No. 1 jumper could spark the backline into action.
“Milford could have more freedom at fullback,” said Lewis, “The King”. “There are a few options Wayne could look at. He could play Boyd at five- eighth 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.
“But I think Milford can be an excellent fullback.
“He handled the fullback role very well in his early years at Canberra.”
In 25 career games at fullback, Milford scored 13 tries and made a staggering 146 tackle busts.
Canterbury’s Moses Mbye has made a superb transition from the halves to fullback this season and Belcher believed the Broncos should follow suit with Milford.