Days after being ear marked for a 2016 State of Origin debut, Brisbane’s Anthony Milford has become embroiled in a Queensland Rugby League probe that has already resulted in two players copping 12 month bans.
Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster won’t be considered for Origin selection this year after breaking curfew at new coach Kevin Walters’ disastrous Emerging Origin camp in Brisbane on the weekend.
Holmes is also being investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit after copping on the spot fines totalling $1412 for obstructing police and public nuisance at a Fortitude Valley cab rank early on Sunday morning.
And the QRL have not ruled out announcing more suspensions after reports emerged that up to four other players defied Walters at his first official event as Maroons coach and broke curfew.
Fox Sports and Nine Network identified the other four players as Milford and Brisbane teammate Jarrod Wallace, Newcastle’s Korbin Sims and Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa.
Fairfax Media reported Munster was not with Holmes when fined by Queensland Police but the pair copped bans after refusing to tell the QRL who else broke curfew following a team dinner on Saturday night.
Earlier on Saturday, Walters had spoken highly of Milford’s 2016 Origin chances.
Walters said “Blind Freddy” could see Milford was destined for Origin as early as this year after helping guide Brisbane to the 2015 NRL grand final.
“He had a great season last year in a lot of ways and, if he continues to improve the way that he has the last couple of years, he’s got Origin written all over him,” Walters told reporters at the camp launch.
QRL boss Peter Betros said Walters was keen to stamp his authority in the investigation after taking over from the hugely successful Mal Meninga.
“Kevin is very disappointed in them,” he told AAP.
“He is strong on discipline.
“He feels those players (who) don’t want to buy into what he is doing with Queensland, they can go back to club land.”
Bans would be a body blow for big men Napa and Sims just as they also appeared on the precipice of an official Maroons nod.
Napa was an 18th man for Queensland last series and Sims had also been named in an extended Maroons squad in 2015.
1st&10
Guest
The police academy has a curfew !!! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Steve
Guest
Massive difference between coming home after curfew as you say that heading back to team hotel and then sneaking out and heading back to the valley. It was a deliberate act to ignore what they had been told.
Matt
Guest
Defence force. Recruit school, basic training. But we got paid a little bit less.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
When it comes to QLD origin, somehow the phrase "winter is coming" seems appropriate.
Freighter
Guest
Put a term to their behaviour.... Let me see- "yeast intolerance". Get them to apologise and send them somewhere for counselling. Should do the trick!
Casper
Guest
Why is Milford the headline here? Out after curfew (maybe), kick up the backside by Kevvie and has to wait until 2017 for possible origin chance. Unless Cronk or Thurston break down, he's about 3 or 4 in line. As for Valentine Holmes, sounds like a case of jumping the taxi queue because he probably thought he was entitled to (don't you know who I am - I'm a footy star syndrome) but got put in his place and came unstuck. Maybe Kevvie needed to make them all write out the camp rules, not just tell them. Have seen snippets of those young NRL kids sitting through the lectures on behaviour and many are just looking at their phones, totally tuned out to the message. Set them a pop quiz, less than 90% right and they don't get to play the next game. Unfortunately, it's what that millennial generation does in most workplaces, can't be separated from their devices at any cost. Showing my age and frustration here?
pete bloor
Guest
yep but they also have the story of "my contract was worth less than what you'll get paid for three origin matches"
Johnno
Guest
NRL has to cut ties with Alochol, otherwise this will keep coming up. It has an incestous relationship with booze sponsorship, that's so engrained in it's culture.
northerner
Guest
I'd have thought simply looking at their pay cheques would make it easier to bear the pain.
pete bloor
Guest
If it weren't for his halves partner they wouldn't have been in the grand final
Muzz
Guest
It's tough when those making the rules have some great stories to tell that generally occurred after midnight.
Muzz
Guest
The modern game has become so heavily structured and quite mathematical that i'm prepared to cut the little playmakers some slack when it comes to their D. I don't have the stats on hand but i'd be curious to know how all 4 halves faired defensively in the 2015 grand final. The 2 things that stood out the most in that GF were 1) Milfs performance 2) The amount of pressure/load on JTs shoulders.
sbs2
Guest
unlike your sport Les the players good or bad are newsworthy.
The eye
Guest
Muzz,as good as he is with the ball he's equally as bad in defence..4 parts heavenly pleasure 1 part grimacing pain..last year's Tigers game is where hes at..and then there's his online defence -he doesnt hold many out or up..super runner,he's scary,but for both coaches.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Napa has a bench spot already. He is just too good to not be there.
northerner
Guest
Perhaps these men are being treated like 8 year olds because that's the way they behave. These four, at least.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Yeah... the players haven't exactly earned the right to be trusted with their own bedtimes and to be on their best behaviour. Yes, they get treated like 8 year olds, but they behave like 8 year olds, so what do you do?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I can't think of any other profession where your boss can dictate your bedtime, or tell you where and when you're allowed to go out. These men are being treated like eight year olds. I think that its time for the players association to lay down its own rules and fight back for the basic rights of freedom outside of training, gamedays, and a few club committments.
Newsense
Guest
What if the Sea Eagles have a flying start this year????? Would DCE still be somewhere on Walter's (or even Meninga's) radar????
Muzz
Guest
Milf was let down by his halves partner who had a stinker. Anthony showed the maturity of s seasoned pro and is only 21.He totally outplayed JT. The CC medal is a farce. We all know that : ) The kids a star and should play SOO. The Raiders should be filthy.