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Message: [QUOTE="Russell Coight, post: 2761430, member: 9152"] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=&amp][FONT=&amp]THE Broncos face a multi-million dollar battle to keep Anthony Milford as NRL rivals circle Brisbane’s most potent attacking weapon. The Courier-Mail can reveal the battle for Milford’s signature has begun with several Sydney-based NRL rivals expressing interest in Brisbane’s star pivot. But the Broncos have vowed to fight hard to retain Milford, who will be a key man for Brisbane in tomorrow night’s showdown against Anthony Griffin’s Panthers at Suncorp Stadium. Interest from rival clubs does not mean Milford will quit Brisbane, but it gives the attacking ace the power to name his price and command a mega payday at the Broncos. In March, Milford’s management predicted he would become the first NRL star to earn $1.5 million a season. Milford could command a record salary for his next contract.Off-contract next year, Milford becomes a free agent at the perfect time, with the NRL salary cap set to soar beyond $10 million under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2018. Milford was the league’s most lethal player in the first half of the 2016 season and his sizzling form piqued the interest of NRL clubs, who regard him as the code’s next superstar. Just turned 22, Milford can be Brisbane’s franchise equivalent to Johnathan Thurston at the Cowboys and the Broncos have no plans to lose the Queensland Origin hopeful. “Anthony is capable of attracting interest from other clubs but we’re happy to have him here,” Broncos chief executive Paul White said. “People who play well for a club like the Broncos are going to get exposure and that is going to generate interest in them. “There’s very few players at the Broncos that wouldn’t be in demand with other clubs and I expect Anthony to be one of them. “That is one of the attractions (of playing for the Broncos), but I’m also hoping it’s one of the attractions for Anthony to stay at our club. “It won’t just be the value of the contract for Anthony, it’s everything else at the Broncos that go with it. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on Anthony. If someone determines he’s a franchise player, that’s great, but we just want him to be a great player for the long haul at the Broncos.” Milford joined the Broncos from the Raiders in 2015. It would take a massive offer to prise Milford from the Broncos. He controversially quit Canberra in 2014 to be closer to his sick father Halo in Brisbane and despite his rise to NRL stardom, Milford still lives at home with his parents. Milford’s management said the uncertainty surrounding the NRL salary cap made it difficult to lock him into a long-term Broncos deal. “Until the salary cap for 2018 is finalised, it’s hard to sign players to new contracts. We are dealing with the unknown,” agent Sam Ayoub said. “Anthony is very settled in Brisbane and he made the move there to be among his family knowing he would be in a good club with a good environment at the Broncos.” White added: “Anthony has been infectious for this club with the players and fans. We’d love for him to build a long-term career here at the Broncos.” [/FONT] [IMG]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/article/352d36cf2560df745ac6c5a2cd7f5506?esi=true&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_storybody/index&t_product=CourierMail&td_device=desktop[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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