Newcastle legend Andrew Johns said the delayed return to the NRL for Anthony Milford may be a blessing in disguise, as it gives him time to get into shape.
The 27-year-old was set to sign for the Rabbitohs for the 2022 season, only for the deal to collapse when assault charges were levelled against him. The court matter has since been finalised with the assault charges against Milford dropped.
Now, having had a path cleared to play for Newcastle in the second half of the year, Johns says the former Bronco needs to put his head down.
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“If you’re fair dinkum, you can get rock-hard fit in four, five, six weeks,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
“You look at boxers before a big fight. They go into camp and it’s for five, six weeks, two months – and they get themselves ready to fight heavyweight boxing matches that go for 12 rounds.”
Johns said that if Milford gets his weight down and stays on the right path, he could be a key contributor for the Knights, even if it’s only temporary.
“If he commits, and if he’s only at Newcastle for a year – he can leave a legacy at Newcastle. We know the player he is, what he did at Canberra, what he did five or six years ago when he got to the grand final [with Brisbane], he was one of the best players in the world.
“If he gets fit, he’ll be a great asset for the club. It gives depth in the halves, depth off the bench, and depth at fullback.”
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Milford is at the Knights on a one-year deal, and is widely expected to reunite with former coach Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins in 2023.
Bennett lashed the NRL’s decision-making, saying last week that he “couldn’t comprehend” Milford potentially not being allowed to return to the game.
“The courts have cleared Anthony of assault,” Bennett told reporters last week.
“The criminal justice system has dealt with him. Anthony is a 200-gamer and first-time offender in the NRL. He pleaded guilty to the minor charges, but the courts agreed he was not guilty of assaulting anyone.
“Based on that, I hope he is back in the NRL very soon. I know Anthony won’t offend again.”
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