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Origin last thing on Milford's mind

3 minute read

His NRL coach may have endorsed him as Queensland's bench utility but Brisbane playmaker Anthony Milford says a Maroons recall is the last thing on his mind.

ANTHONY MILFORD of the Broncos passes the ball during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
ANTHONY MILFORD of the Broncos passes the ball during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Playmaker Anthony Milford says a Queensland recall is the last thing on his mind as Brisbane prepare for a huge test against NRL leaders Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

With two NRL games left before Maroons coach Kevin Walters finalises his squad for next month's State of Origin series opener, Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has already endorsed Milford as the Queensland bench utility.

Milford stood tall in Brisbane's last round win over Manly but arguably won't get a better gauge of his Origin credentials than when he lines up against NSW hopeful Luke Keary in the Suncorp Stadium clash with the defending champions.

But Milford said he would not be distracted by Origin speculation as the 11th-placed Broncos (3-6) prepare to "kick-start" their season against a dominant Roosters.

"I want to do my best for the Broncos and put our season ahead of anything else," Milford said.

"If the jersey comes my way I will take it but right now I am focused on the Broncos.

"We need to be better to kick-start our season again."

Milford played the last of his two Origin games to date as the Maroons bench utility in the 2018 series opener.

And Seibold reckoned he had already seen enough from Milford for his playmaker to again fill the role in Origin I on June 5 in Brisbane.

"Milly has a ton of ability. He'd do a job if Kevvie picked him (as No.14) for sure," Seibold said after Brisbane's 26-10 last round win over Manly.

Milford said his priority was gelling with new halves partner Tom Dearden since the recent departure of halfback Kodi Nikorima to the Warriors.

"We just had to move on," Milford said of Nikorima's departure.

"But the transition (for Dearden) wasn't too hard. I can't ask anything more from him."

Milford said with 18-year-old Dearden thrust into the starting side, the pivot now hoped to stand up as a senior player for Brisbane.

"I think there is a few of us who want to do that. I think it is picking our times when to say things and when just to listen but there are a lot of leaders there," he said.

Meanwhile, Brisbane are confident Alex Glenn will run out against the Roosters despite cutting short training on Wednesday due to illness.

And prop Joe Ofahengaue has re-signed with the Broncos for another three years.

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