In his 150th game, Anthony Milford stood up for the Brisbane Broncos, steering them to a comfortable 29-6 win over the Cronulla Sharks.
The injury ravaged Sharks, who were fielding a very youthful backline, were just decimated with injuries and it only got worse in-game.
Shaun Johnson and Josh Dugan succumbed to hamstring injuries and in the end, they were unable to overcome the injuries.
Only able to play what is front of you, however, the Broncos were just far too good, with Milford having his best game of the year.
An error from Sharks debutant Ronaldo Mulitalo gifted the Broncos first points.
It was Corey Oates who would score the try, finishing off the play on the back of an Anthony Milford pass.
Another Sharks error saw another try handed on a silver platter to the Broncos.
Back-rower Alex Glenn the recipient this time, who simply had to dive on the ball to score.
Racing the clock to some extent, the Broncos extended their lead with a penalty goal.
The Sharks were struck their cruellest blow, when Johnson departed the field with that hamstring injury.
He would not return to the field.
The onslaught did not end there, as another Sharks error resulted in a Broncos try in the ensuing set.
This try was scored by Joe Ofahengaue, who powered over off a crisp pass from Milford.
A field goal late in the first half saw the Broncos head into the break with a 21-0 lead.
James Roberts found his feet once more, as he scored a try with some good footwork.
Although far from their best, the Sharks would not be held scoreless, however.
Jayden Brailey eventually scored their first points to give the fans a brief smile.
The second half did not feature as many points but it was a win the Broncos needed to regain confidence.
Composure as a play-maker is the key and Broncos coach Anthony Seibold praised Milford for his control of the game.
“Sometimes when things work for a key playmaker, they will go away from it, but I thought his kicking game was outstanding and made it really difficult for their back three,” Seibold said.
“We got a lot of rewards and field position out of that and he didn’t go away from it.
“His kick selection and kick execution was outstanding and you build pressure off the back of that.”
Thrust into the side at the last minute, the pressure was on Mulitalo.
Sharks coach John Morris told him to keep his head eye high, though.
“I said to him after the game that he has got to keep his head up,” Morris said.
“It was very challenging circumstances and I thought that apart from a couple of times where he turned the ball over after they licked to him all night he showed some good touches against a real quality player in Corey Oates.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Anthony Milford
2. Joe Ofahengaue
- Andrew Fifita