'Clean slate': Walters wants Milford to reignite career in Sydney

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has urged out-of-favour playmaker Anthony Milford to re-establish his NRL Telstra Premiership career with a "strong club" in Sydney.

Walters spoke on Saturday of the club's decision not to offer the 27-year-old a contract extension as part of a major roster overhaul underway at Red Hill.

Milford was left out of Walters' 21-man squad to play the Wests Tigers on Sunday and may have played his last game for the club.

Walters believed Milford still had a future in the NRL amid talk the Samoan international could shift to Super League.

"I'm disappointed we couldn't get Anthony playing to a level where we know he is capable," Walters said.

"He played some decent footy for us at different stages this year but I just feel for Anthony's interest more so than the Broncos that he needs to find a club outside of Brisbane.

"My suggestion to him is to find a strong Sydney club. He's got more to offer in the game and in the NRL but I feel his future is best served at another club.

"While Anthony was disappointed to hear the news he [agreed]. It's been a tough few years for Anthony and everything that goes with Anthony Milford.

"I certainly feel he's got a career left in the NRL and to start with a clean slate at another club."

The Broncos announced the retentions of Tyson Gamble, Kobe Hetherington and Jake Turpin following their round 16 win over the Sharks with Ben Ikin's role as football director in full swing.

With off-field decisions around players' futures finally offering clarity all-round, Walters believes the club is becoming more settled.

He turned the attention on to the Wests Tigers clash, where the side is chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since March last year.

"The [finals] dream is certainly alive from my point of view but we cut the season back into week segments," Walters said.

"We need to back that [Sharks performance] up, we had a reset a few weeks back and the players have had another great week of preparation.

"We're trying to get off the bottom. It's a big game for both clubs.

"I feel we've got a good advantage being based in Brisbane. We go back to our families and loved ones while other NRL clubs are in a hub. It's a different lifestyle but ours hasn't changed a whole lot.

"We need to show that love back to the family and supporters."

Walters confirmed Xavier Coates would be rested following his Origin III efforts on Wednesday but Payne Haas and Tom Flegler will play.

Coates will be replaced by Jamayne Isaako, who gets another start on the wing outside Kotoni Staggs.