Broncos coach Kevin Walters will use his fourth halves combination in eight weeks as Brisbane’s search for a long-term playmaking answer takes another twist with the recall of maligned marquee man Anthony Milford.
Milford is set to be named to face the Titans on Friday after two weeks in the Intrust Super Cup. He will partner Tyson Gamble in the halves after Walters axed Brodie Croft and Tom Dearden.
Dearden's axing comes just 24 hours after he confirmed he was leaving Brisbane to join the Cowboys in 2022.
Gamble has played just three NRL games since his debut for the Wests Tigers in 2018 but Walters has made little secret he will try anything to find a winning combination with former Titan Albert Kelly back training at Red Hill for the first time this year in a sign any option is on the table.
Is Dearden’s exit a sign of how far Broncos have fallen?
“Kevvy said at the start of the year no one is safe here. You’ve got to play good to keep your spot if not you’re going to get shown the door and kicked out of the team,” front-rower Payne Haas said.
“It is frustrating just losing. I’m not here to talk down any of my teammates. It’s a team performance and we just haven’t been up to scratch.
“Tyson is a real good talker, that is what we need in the team with our halves. We need some direction and I think Tyson is the man to do that job.
Everyone knows what Milf can bring and it’s just up to us forwards to create that for him
Payne Haas
“He is just non-stop talking - you could hear him out there today.”
Veteran David Mead is the other victim of Brisbane’s 46-6 loss to Parramatta, axed for the return of Jesse Arthars as Herbie Farnworth shifts to left centre alongside Corey Oates.
Milford had a spring in his step at training after a good win for Souths Logan last weekend and Haas believes the former Origin star can spark the Broncos' attack after they managed just one try against the Eels.
“He had a good performance last week against Mackay and I think he just got rewarded for that,” Haas said.
“He has done a good job, he has got his head up and just kept working hard and he is back now and it’s good to have Milf back.
“Everyone knows what Milf can bring and it’s just up to us forwards to create that for him and have a half like Tyson who just talks and lets Milf do what he wants is going to be real good for us this Friday.”
More to come...
