The mind-blowing numbers that could grant enigmatic Milford one more chance

One try, four try assists, five line-break assists and 180 running metres.

These numbers make for impressive reading of Anthony Milford’s exploits in the Queensland Cup at the weekend.

And his timing could be perfect if he is to resurrect his NRL career when the Dolphins host the most momentous rugby league derby Suncorp Stadium has seen in a sell-out showdown with the Brisbane Broncos this Saturday night.

Nevertheless, the off-contract Dolphins No.6 is looming as a potential replacement for Kodi Nikorima, who has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash at Suncorp.

Nikorima, along with Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich, left the field early in the team’s 48-6 defeat to Melbourne due to concussion, with coach Wayne Bennett confirming the pair would not line up for the fourth Battle of Brisbane.

“They got category one which means they’ve got an 11-day stand down,” Bennett said.

“There’s no discussion it’s just they won’t be playing.”

With both teams on 26 points and just two points behind eighth-placed St George Illawarra, the 5.30pm clash, known as ‘The Battle of Brisbane’, could not have a more meaningful carrot hanging on the result.

The winner will still be alive in the finals race ahead of the last round the following week, while the loser will be all but finished for 2024.

Both sides are without key players, with Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirming fullback Reece Walsh and prop Payne Haas will be unavailable.

While it is more likely Dolphin Sean O’Sullivan will move off the bench to partner halfback Isaiya Katoa, Bennett has previously picked Milford to face his former club.

The 30-year-old has played just 13 games in two years for the Dolphins, but has featured in two out of three Broncos’ clashes.

Milford became a $1 million man at the Broncos before injuries and lacklustre form curtailed his NRL career.

But he appeared unstoppable in the Central Queensland Capras 36-24 triumph on Saturday, facing off against Tweed five-eighth and former Wallabies star Carter Gordon, to suggest there could still be life in his NRL career.

That has not often been the case in the later years of his career. At times, he has been a far cry from the man who donned the Queensland Maroons’ jumper twice.

His standout performance for the Capras came as the club was fighting for its place in the finals.

Bennett’s men face the same predicament. One loss will end their finals crusade.

The Broncos have shown weakness in defence throughout the year, conceding 30 or more points five times in their past 11 outings, while also gifting Parramatta and North Queensland early leads before chasing them down.

But with Dolphins’ hooker Jeremy Marshall-King still racing the clock to recover from a foot injury, and with Nikorima another casualty, Bennett may need to get creative to come up with the attack needed to bury their crosstown rivals.

Is it too late for Milford to rediscover his class, and embark on a career renaissance? Not according to Broncos five-eighth Josh Rogers.

Rogers earned his NRL chance after seven years in the Queensland Cup. He was thrust into the mix when Ezra Mam’s season was ended by a syndesmosis injury.

The 28-year-old has now played four games this year and garnered a two-year contract in the process.

“I’ve played against [Milford] a couple of times now in Cup ... he’s a quality player, so if he comes in it will be another tough game,” Rogers said.

“I didn’t think it was ever too late [for me], I played at Burleigh with Jamal Fogarty, and he didn’t start playing until he was 26, 27.

“I’m pretty proud about it to be honest, seven years of playing Cup is a while to be just sitting there, and so you think you might not get your opportunity.

“But you’ve just got to back yourself, and that’s what I’ve done this whole time.”

with AAP