Wikipedia

Anthony Milford

Anthony Milford(born 11 July 1994) is an AustralianSamoan internationalrugby leaguefootballer who plays as afive-eighthandhalfbackfor theDolphinsin theNational Rugby League(NRL).

Anthony Milford
Personal information
Born(1994-07-11)11 July 1994(age 30)
Auckland,New Zealand
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth,Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–14 Canberra Raiders 42 21 3 2 92
2015–21 Brisbane Broncos 151 49 33 13 275
2022 Newcastle Knights 13 0 8 0 16
2023– Dolphins 13 3 0 0 12
Total 219 73 44 15 395
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–24 Samoa 14 4 15 0 46
2014 Prime Ministers XIII 1 1 0 0 4
2017–18 Queensland 2 0 0 0 0
Source:[1][2]
As of 27 October 2024
RelativesFrancis Molo(cousin)
Michael Molo(cousin)

Milford has previously played for theNewcastle Knights,theBrisbane Broncosand theCanberra Raidersin the NRL. He has also co-captainedSamoa,and represented the AustralianPrime Minister's XIIIand theQueensland Maroons.He has also played as afullbackin his career.

Background

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Milford was born inAuckland,New Zealand, and raised inBrisbane,Queensland, Australia. He is ofSamoandescent.[3][4]He is the cousin ofSt. George Illawarra DragonsplayersFrancis MoloandMichael Molo.[5]

Playing career

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Early years

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Milford began playing his junior rugby league for the Souths Juniors inAcacia Ridge.During his teenage years, he attendedForest Lake State High SchoolandSt Peter Claver CollegeinIpswich,and was selected for the Queensland and Australian Under-15 Schoolboys in 2009.[6]While at the school he represented the Under-15 Queensland and Australian Schoolboys' sides in 2009.[6]In 2010, Milford represented the Queensland Under-16s, while playing forSouths Logan Magpies.[7]Milford graduated from their rugby league program in 2011.[8]In 2012, Milford represented Queensland Under-18s, playing halfback in their 24–18 win over New South Wales.

Milford joined theCanberra Raidersin 2012, leading theirSG Ballside to the Grand Final, which they lost 42–20 to theBalmain Tigers.Later that year, at just 17 years old,[9]Milford debuted for the RaidersUnder-20steam. Milford played 14 games, scoring 13 tries and helped the Raiders make the Grand Final, in which they lost to theWests Tigers46–6.[10][11]In September 2012, Milford was set to be named in theJunior Kiwisside to face the Junior Kangaroos, before he officially pledged his allegiance to his birth country of Australia.[3][12]In November 2012, he was rewarded with a new contract at theCanberra Raiders,keeping him in Canberra until the end of 2014.[13]In December 2012, Milford was named in Queensland's 2013 Junior Emerging Origin Squad.[14]Milford played 20 games, scored 20 tries, kicked 64 goals and 1 field goal for 209 points in his U20s career from 2012 to 2013.[15]

Milford playing for theQueensland U-20sin 2013

Canberra Raiders(2013–2014)

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2013

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In 2013, Milford trained with Canberra's NRL squad in the pre-season, despite still having two years left of NYC eligibility.[16]In Round 5, Milford made his NRL debut for theCanberra Raidersagainst theSydney Roosters,playing off the interchange bench in Canberra's 24–22 comeback win atCanberra Stadium.[17]In Round 10 against theCronulla-Sutherland Sharks,Milford scored his first and second NRL career tries in Canberra's 30–20 loss atRemondis Stadium.[18]Milford was named captain andhalfbackofQueenslandUnder-20s State of Origin team, scoring a try in the 36–12 loss to theNew South WalesUnder-20s atPenrith Stadium.[19]

On 31 August, Milford andCanberra RaidersteammateJosh Papaliiwere fined by the club for an alleged drinking incident two days before Canberra's 50–16 loss to theNew Zealand Warriors.[20]Milford finished hisdebut seasonin the NRL being named the Raiders Rookie of the Year with him playing in 18 matches and scoring nine tries. Milford was a nominee for the Rookie of the Year.[21]Milford played forSamoa national rugby league teamin the2013 Rugby League World Cup,playing in all of their four matches, scoring one try and kicking nine goals. Milford made his Samoan international debut againstNew Zealandatfullbackkicking 2 goals in Samoa's 42–24 loss atHalliwell Jones Stadium.[22]Milford scored his first international try againstFrancein Samoa's 22–6 win.[23]Following the World Cup, On 27 November 2013, Milford signed a two-year contract (worth $900,000) with theBrisbane Broncosfor the 2015 and 2016 seasons, due to family reasons.[24][25]

2014

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Early in the2014 NRL season,Milford was being pursued by theCanberra Raiders.CoachRicky Stuartwas keen to keep him in the Nation's Capital; however, Milford decided to stick with the contract he signed in 2013 to join theBrisbane Broncos.In May, Milford was named for theQueenslandUnder-20s squad to play against theNew South Walesunder-20s, Milford played atfive-eighthin QLD's 30–8 loss atPenrith Stadium.[26][27]In June, Milford was named in the QLD Maroons 22-man squad for Game 2 to be selected for the final interchange bench spot but New Zealand Warriors ForwardJacob Lillymanended up being selected for the final spot over Milford.[28][29]Milford finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing 23 matches, scoring 12 tries, kicking three goals and kicking two field goals in his last year with Canberra. On 9 September 2014, Milford was selected in theAustralia Kangaroos2014 Four Nationstrain-on squad, but later didn't make the final 24-man squad.[30]On 12 October 2014, Milford played atfive-eighthforPrime Minister's XIIIagainstPapua New Guinea,scoring a try in the 34–16 win atKokopo.[31]

Brisbane Broncos(2015–2021)

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2015

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Milford playing for Brisbane in 2019
Milford alongsideJarome LuaiandChanel Harris-Tavitacelebrating 2021 RLWC semi-final victory over England
Milford warming up for Samoa ahead of the2021 RLWC Final
Fa'amanu Brownconsoling Milford after losing the2021 RLWC Finalagainst Australia in 2022

On 21 January 2015, Milford was named in Brisbane's 2015 Auckland Nines squad.[32]In Round 1 of the2015 NRL season,Milford made his club debut for Brisbane atfive-eighthagainst theSouth Sydney Rabbitohsin Brisbane's 36–6 loss atSuncorp Stadium.[33]In Round 5 against theGold Coast Titans,Milford scored his first and second club tries for Brisbane in the 26–16 win atRobina Stadium.[34]

On 4 October 2015, Milford played in the Broncos2015 NRL Grand Finalagainst theNorth Queensland Cowboys,playing at five-eighth in the heartbreaking 17–16 golden-point extra-time loss.[35]He finished off the2015 seasonhaving played in all Brisbane's 27 matches, scoring 13 tries, kicking 3 goals and kicking 3 field goals.[36]

2016

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On 12 January, Milford was selected in theQASEmerging Maroons squad.[37]On 4 February 2016, Milford, along with eight other members of the Queensland Emerging squad were banned from Queensland State of Origin selection for 12 months after breaking team curfew.[38]In Round 4 against theNorth Queensland Cowboys,in the Grand Final rematch, Milford kicked a field goal from 40 metres out to win the match for Brisbane 21–20 in golden point extra time, a redemption victory for Brisbane after last year's heartbreaking 2015 Grand Final extra-time loss.[39]In Round 7 against theNewcastle Knights,Milford scored his first career hat-trick in a masterful performance in Brisbane's 53–0 flogging win atSuncorp Stadium.[40]On 20 September 2016, Milford was added to theAustralia Kangaroos2016 Four Nationstrain-on squad but later make the final 24-man squad.[41]On 28 September 2016, Milford won thePeter FrilingosHeadline Moment of the Year award at theDally M Awards,his match winning field goal in golden point extra time in Round 4 in the Grand Final rematch against theNorth Queensland Cowboys.[42]Milford finished his solid2016 NRL seasonwith him playing in all of the Broncos 26 matches, scoring 14 tries, kicking eight goals and kicking four field goals.

2017

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In February, Milford was selected in Brisbane's2017 NRL Auckland Ninessquad.[43]

In Round 8, Milford was instrumental in the controversial 25–24 win over theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs,with a controversial try assist and a dubious 25-metre field goal. After the match,Tony Archeradmitted the referees should have called held when Milford failed to ground the ball.[44]On 5 May 2017, Milford extended his contract with the Broncos to the end of the 2021, with him set to be the first million-dollar Brisbane player after theMelbourne Stormwere keen to lure him away from Brisbane.[45]

On 6 May 2017, Milford played for Samoa in the test againstEngland,starting at five-eighth, scoring a try and kicking one goal in the 30–10 loss atCampbelltown Stadium.[46]

Due to main Queensland playmakerJohnathan Thurstonsidelined with injury, Milford beat the likes ofMichael Morgan,Daly Cherry-EvansandCameron Munsterto the vacant halves spot for Game 1 of the2017 State of Origin series.[47]On 31 May 2017, Milford hisState of Origindebut forQueenslandat five-eighth, showing some dazzling footwork and strong defence before taken off the field in the 53rd minute due to a concussion in the 28–4 loss atSuncorp StadiumagainstNew South Wales.[48][49]

In Round 14 against theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs,Milford a suffered a shoulder injury during Brisbane's 24–18 win atSuncorp Stadium,and was expected to be sidelined for six weeks but returned early in Round 19 against theNewcastle Knights,scoring a try in the 34–22 win atHunter Stadium.[50][51][52]Milford finished the2017 NRL seasonwith him playing in 23 matches, scoring 7 tries and kicking 21 goals for Brisbane.

Milford who was in frame for eitherAustraliaor Samoa missed the2017 Rugby League World Cupdue to his shoulder injury.[53]

2018

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In Game 1 of the2018 State of Origin series,Milford was a late inclusion on the interchange bench after the retiring seasoned fullbackBilly Slaterwas ruled out through injury andMichael Morganfilled in his vacant spot in the Maroons 22–12 loss atMelbourne Cricket Ground.[54][55]On 23 June 2018, Milford played for Samoa againstTongain the 2018 Polynesian Cup, playing at fullback and co-captaining the team alongsideJoseph Leiluain the 38–22 loss atCampbelltown Stadium.[56][57]Milford finished the2018 NRL seasonhaving played 25 matches, scoring 6 tries and kicking 1 field goal for Brisbane. On 6 October 2018, Milford was awarded the Paul Morgan Medal as the Broncos Player of the Year.[58]

2019

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For the first 14 rounds of the2019 NRL season,Milford started at five-eighth. In round 15, he swapped positions withDarius Boydand moved to fullback in Brisbane's game against theNewcastle Knights.

Milford made 24 appearances for Brisbane in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Milford played in the club's elimination final against Parramatta which Brisbane lost 58–0 at the newWestern Sydney Stadium.[59][60][61]

2020

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Milford played 13 games for Brisbane in the2020 NRL seasonas the club suffered their worst ever year both on and off the field culminating in the club's firstwooden spoon.[62]

2021

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On 1 July, Milford was informed by Brisbane that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the2021 NRL season.This followed after numerous poor performances by Milford in the previous couple of years including the 2021 NRL season where he was demoted from the Brisbane side on a few occasions.[63]

On 30 July 2021, Milford signed a one-year deal to joinSouth Sydneystarting in 2022.[64]However, on 19 September 2021, Milford was arrested following an alleged assault in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. He was charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm one count of wilful damage.[65]Consequently, the NRL refused in November 2021 to register Milford's South Sydney Rabbitohs contract due to criminal proceedings involving two assault charges of violence against women.[66]

Newcastle Knights(2022)

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Due to legal issues, Milford's contract with South Sydney fell through. In April, after his legal matters were finalised, theNewcastle Knightsattempted to register a contract with Milford. The NRL granted a conditional registration to train with the Newcastle outfit while he completes educational and rehabilitative programs, but he would not be permitted to play before round 11, providing four weeks for the relevant programs and assessment to be completed.[67]

In Milford's 200th NRL game, he was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul during Newcastle's 42–12 loss againstManly Warringahin Round 18.[68]

On 18 July, the Newcastle club announced Milford would be moving on at the conclusion of the2022 NRL seasonto return to Queensland, signing a two-year deal with theDolphins.[69]

In October 2022, Milford was named in theSamoa squadfor the2021 Rugby League World Cup.[70]In the opening match of the2021 Rugby League World Cup(RLWC), Milford was sent to the sin bin for an illegal shoulder charge on England'sSam Tomkins.Samoa went on to lose the match 60–6. Milford was later suspended for one game over the incident.[71]Milford also played for Samoa in their 2021 RLWC final loss against Australia.[72]

Dolphins(2023–present)

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In round 4 of the2023 NRL season,Milford made his club debut for theDolphinsagainst theBrisbane Broncosat Suncorp Stadium. In round 13, Milford scored his first try for the Dolphins in their 26–12 victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons atKayo Stadium.[73]In total, Milford played eleven games and scored three tries for the Dolphins in 2023.

Further information:2023 Dolphins (NRL) season
Further information:List of Dolphins (NRL) players

References

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  1. ^"Players".LoveRugbyLeague.Archived fromthe originalon 3 April 2019.Retrieved30 May2017.
  2. ^"Anthony Milford - Career Stats & Summary".Rugby League Project.
  3. ^abTuxworth, Jon (13 September 2012)."NZ will not let Milford slip through its fingers".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved25 October2015.
  4. ^Tuxworth, Jon (21 September 2012)."Papalii helping Milford find feet in Canberra".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved25 October2015.
  5. ^"Brisbane's Highly Rated Teen Prop Francis Molo Set for NRL Return Against West Tigers".Courier Mail.Retrieved25 October2015.
  6. ^ab"Queensland Under 15's Schoolboy Titles - Wests Centenary JRLFC Inc. - FOX SPORTS PULSE".Sportingpulse. 30 December 2009.Retrieved25 October2015.
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  10. ^"2012 SG BALL Elimination Finals 2012 sg ball draw and sg ball results, sg ball news and photo's".Ourfootyteam.Retrieved25 October2015.
  11. ^Crawley, Paul (30 September 2012)."Wests Tigers thrash Canberra Raiders to take Toyota Cup title".News.au. Archived fromthe originalon 7 April 2015.Retrieved25 October2015.
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  70. ^Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
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  73. ^"Round 13: Dolphins v Dragons | Dolphins".
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