The future of ex-Brisbane Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford’s NRL career is in doubt after the NRL barred the South Sydney Rabbitohs from registering his contract while criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Milford was handed a one-season lifeline by Souths after the Broncos opted not to renew his $1 million-per-year contract, but was arrested in late September following an incident in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
Milford is accused of three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm after allegedly assaulting three bystanders – a man and two women – who intervened in an argument between Milford and his wife Miri. He also allegedly threw a garbage bin at a car, leading to a charge of wilful damage involving a vehicle.
An NRL statement read: “The National Rugby League (NRL) has advised player Anthony Milford and the South Sydney Rabbitohs that it will not consider registering a contract for the player until criminal proceedings against Milford have been completed.
“Given the severity of the allegations, particularly that two charges allege violence against women, the NRL will not consider an application for registration until the court process is complete.
“Milford was arrested on 20 September 2021 and charged with 3 counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and 1 count of wilful damage involving a vehicle.”
A Rabbitohs statement read: “The South Sydney Rabbitohs respect and support the NRL’s decision to not register a contract for Anthony Milford at this stage.
“The Rabbitohs will await the outcome of the legal proceedings and the NRL’s final determination before commenting further.”
Milford played 42 times for the Canberra Raiders before moving to Brisbane in 2015, eventually playing 151 times for the Red Hill club and earning two State of Origin caps in 2017. and 2018.
But his form nosedived in recent years and this season Milford took home a million-dollar paycheque despite struggling for first team selection.
“Police were called to Marshall Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley shortly before 2am following reports of a disturbance,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said at the time of his arrest in September.
“A number of bystanders allegedly attempted to break up the altercation,” a police spokesman said.
“In the course of events the 27-year-old man allegedly assaulted two other women and caused damage to a parked motor vehicle.
“Police will also allege the man assaulted a 19-year-old man before being apprehended.
“A 27-year-old Forest Lake man was arrested nearby and charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of wilful damage.”
Source: foxsports.com.au