It’s the question that’s on every rugby league fans lips. Is Anthony Milford a young superstar facing a heartbreaking moral dilemma, or just the next ungrateful bugger off the ACT assembly line?
In the space of a few months Canberra Raiders player Anthony Milford has gone from another kid whose name you’ve heard whispered around the traps, to actually existing, to being an exciting player with a long future in the NRL.
He’s got the Canberra locals chanting Milf! Milf! Milf! With a fervour not seen in the nation’s capital since Anita Keating left the Lodge, and has helped to mop up some of the ink stained mess left behind by Davo Dugan.
Which naturally means he’s intending to leave the Raiders in the near future.
Yes, as was mentioned on the Roar last week it seems that not all the Cockington Green’s or lime milk in the world can keep anyone aged under twenty-five in Canberra, and Milford is looking to take up a position at the Broncos.
The twist in the tale though is the fact that this Anthony might actually have a better excuse than frustration at not being given automatic entry to the Immortals or being barred from Mooseheads, as Milford’s father lives in the Queensland capital and is battling illness.
It is a delicate situation, one perhaps not being helped by Milford’s management putting out the fire with Goulburn gasoline by proclaiming that their talent will sit out the season and play video games with Gorden Tallis if he doesn’t get his way.
So far the Raiders have refused to budge, having already let go enough talent to fill several Dragons sides, and also knowing that footy players wanting to move closer to their families has become a great get out of contract free card (how are the folks in Brisbane Izzy?)
And that should be the end of the road for Milford.
Fortunately though Anthony has got an ally inside Guantanamo Green Machine who has been busily tunnelling his way out for some time now.
Forget Snake Piston, if Milford really wants to ‘Escape from the ACT’ (with or without the kidnapped US President) then there’s one man he needs to get in contact with.
Blake Ferguson.
Remember that Seinfeld episode where George tries to get himself fired from the Yankees so he can take up a position with the New York Mets?
Fergo has been doing that for the last three years!
Reports are that Ferguson wasn’t at the Raiders game on Saturday because he was hanging out in Cronulla.
Cronulla!
That’s like Lyle Lanley going for a coffee date in North Haverbrook.
If Milford really wants out of his Canberra contract all he has to do is start acting the goat with Blake and sooner or later the Raiders will be forced to turf him out.
And, the great thing is him and Fergo could have a lot of fun trying, they just need to get a bit more creative.
Anyone can post a selfie of yourself being a goose on facespace, what about taking the Raiders team bus for an early morning road trip to Fyschwick?
Or tying a nude Dane Tilse to the Canberra Uni flagpole? Or willfully damaging the premiership trophy (although I think Laurie already did that in 89).
A couple of these zany schemes and the Milf is a free man, Fergo can move in with Uncle Choc and the Raiders can continue on their mediocre ways.
Everyone wins.
Except, y’know, the fans and stuff…
mushi
Guest
that's the bit I keep no understanding here, he does have a release clause in his contract doesn't he?
JSB
Guest
WOW, I'd hate to be in your family. My family on the other hand has moved home, especially when they're planning too anyway, they just come back early. That sounds familiar doesn't it, it's just like Milford. Whether he leaves now or next year he's leaving, the Raiders have lost him for good now.. They knew his father was sick and included a clause in his contract providing him with an out if and when his dad's health deteriorated. If they had every intention of breaching the clause, then why put it in the contract to begin with. He's 19 and wants to spend time with his dad while he can, he'll probably live at home as many many 19 year olds do. What could be more palatable are the fans, the ones so sceptical that even a teenager wanting to go home because his dad's health has deteriorated, isn't good enough, even when the club thought it was and included a clause saying so, but alas that was before he became a star and before the other stars left/planning to leave... But hey, it's all the players fault couldn't be the clubs or the coaches... Lol, if I only said that before the players revolt and their demand for the coach to be sacked... Kind of makes this whole article null and void.. Hindsight's a btch!
JSB
Guest
Totally agree, Canberra are breaching the contract then crying foul.
JSB
Guest
Nice read, well sort of. Couldn't finish it, I started to get sick from reading the BS dribble leaping off the pages. How funny that you've written this and now the truth comes out that it's the club that's the problem not the players and not other clubs. It's a good thing that players aren't items, but self thinking humans, and that they have the right to move to another club when they choose, oh and have they in droves. What you now should write about especially after the revelation that the team can no longer work with the coach, is what is so wrong that players are choosing to leave. With the largest ratio of kids between 18-23 per populous thanks to the two uni's, the problem isn't Canberra, the problem is the Raiders, as we've all just discovered.. Maybe as the Raider's sockpuppet, you can write a witty piece on that!
Chris Chard
Expert
I'll admit I still have no idea what the first line of 'Khe Sahn' is "Left my heart mumble mumble mumble..."
Chris Chard
Expert
You would think if Canberra are keen to hang onto Milford then yes, bringing his parents to him rather than vice versa would be a smart idea...reminds me of the college recruitment in US football where they'll sometimes set the family up in a house near the college and help them find employment etc Not sure how Shuey would feel about all that though....
the spectator
Guest
Oh Oikee, if you didn't cry all year long about manly poaching off contracted players your argument for Broncos poaching contracted players might've gone unnoticed!!! Less is more mate,
peeeko
Roar Guru
i dont know what they are complaining about . they have a backrow of glenn (NZ), thaiday,parker and Gillet (qld) -surely the best in the comp. they have one of the best props in the comp in ben hannant. they have the games best centre in hodges and frormer aust winger Yow Yeh on their books. they also have internationals in Hoffman and Reed in their backline. truth is like a lot of clubs they have poor halves
peeeko
Roar Guru
pretty sure slater is from north quensland, no one wanted to give thurston a go because he was too small. broncos didnt want smith. you cant claim that the whole of the brisbane area juniors beling to the broncos. why would they go to sydney and try and sign players when they have the biggest junior nurser rught under their noses. they are at a huge advantage in that they dont have aonther team to compete against in brisbane, kids will always stay in brisbane for lower money
Wozza
Guest
My old man always said "you cant win an argument with a mug " Nuff said
Meesta Cool
Guest
Falou went to Brisbane on super money deal, OIks, I ask what is the difference?. Ooops I forgit, he wanted to be with his family!..... you guys are just as bad as everyone else . And whilst I am on the subject, Slater, Inglis, Cronk, Falou are just examples of young players that wanted to play for Brisbane and were rejected! -- not Melbourne poaching, just a case of talent scout being BETTER, same guy is doing same thing at Roosters right now, they may have bought this years team, but look at the young blokes coming through the ranks..
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
I thought it was "Cheap Wine and a three-legged goat"
GW
Roar Pro
Well said. The Broncos fans seem to be very free in their abuse of the Raiders, saying that they aren't compassionate. It is the way a very spoilt person looks at things, where they're not happy unless absolutely everything goes their way. The club was looking to build a team around Milford, now that is gone. I wish someone would run a survey of all footballers that have a relative that is sick, and see whether they intend moving back home. The answer will be zero. If they are a current or future star, they will get signed up pronto when they break their contract. If Milford was a run of the mill player, it wouldn't be an issue - he'd quit and go home to his family and stop playing to spend as much time as possible with his Dad.
GW
Roar Pro
He had open heart surgery well before Tony signed the contract to stay another two years. That is a fact. He is homesick. That is a fact. His Dad is well enough to travel to Canberra, so he's thankfully not on death's door. Heaven forbid, if someone's relative dies, do all of the family members across the world move back home? No, they don't. It sounds as though you are lucky enough not to have had any family tragedy, and good luck to you if that is the case. If he said he was homesick and left it at that, it would be a little more palatable.
GW
Roar Pro
Why not 3 more years? 5 hasn't been enough, so another 2 won't make any difference.
Football fan
Guest
Snake PLISKIN, dang it Chard!! Well played otherwise.. Raiders keep getting stitched up. I thought milford's parents were in Canberra with him at the clubs expense, no?
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
It's a awkward situation Well Milford's one is, Ferguson shouldn't be allowed to go anywhere I understand Milford's father may be very ill (though currently in Canberra and able to attend many games) or he may just be using the homesick card cause he's realised he couldn't possibly live in Canberra long term either way Canberra have massive pressure (once again) from everywhere to release him. I really feel for the club though, any of the teams that have to deal with these talented kids that clubs are building the future around not taking contracts nearly as serious as they should be. The other thing that annoys me is the clubs getting the rewards from these homesick players. The Broncos are a prime example, will very rarely have this issue of homesick kids but will always receive the benefits and I can only see this happening more often. The Broncos will overlook the talent, they go elsewhere they crack first grade then its time to play the homesick card so i can go home. Sadly the Broncos supporters now seem almost proud of this even though the junior development in recent times has been average at best they can just go snap up talent they missed that are contracted elsewhere. The NRL is also to blame for sure, Canberra have been under the pump every time to deal with stars that derail they got rid of Carney and Dugan and just get a nice pat on back and we move on. The Dugan one was a absolute joke, he acted like a tool to get sacked so he could go take what is now huge money and long term contract at the Dragons after how long of not playing? How did the Raiders win again? Oh by turning to a kid they will now have to give to the Broncos for nothing except another pat on the back for doing the right thing The NRL will need to step in a some point or it will continue, I'm sure plenty of players are waiting to see how all this unfolds with Barba, Milford and Ferguson to find out how easy it actually is to get out of one of these contracts
Zee
Guest
Him & Fergo are most welcome at South Sydney.. pose away lads. Pose away
GW
Roar Pro
planko - I wish I said that.
GW
Roar Pro
His Dad has been ill for a long time, and he had a heart attack well before Tony signed his last contract, so you are wrong. I think he should just walk out if it means so much to him, but not be paid until his contract expires. Is it that important to him? I fully agree that your parents are the most important people in the world, but that doesn't mean you have to live with them. What will Tony do when he plays away from Brisbane? You can only tell if someone is sincere in their beliefs if they are willing to give something they love away for that belief. Ayoub wouldn't like that would he? I would respect Tony if he walked away, but not into the Broncos arms.