Wayne Bennett confirmed Anthony Milford will start at five-eighth for the Dolphins for an extended period, after halfback Sean O'Sullivan suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the 18-12 loss to Brisbane.
Milford, a 207-game veteran, hadn't played NRL since August last year but was rushed into the side at No.6 against the Broncos on Friday, after 19-year-old Isaiya Katoa was still suffering the effects of an elbow injury.
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The former Bronco turned in a solid performance, setting up a try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with a neat grubber, and kept his line in defence.
The 28-year-old was a mainstay of Bennett's Broncos team from 2015 to 2018 but started this season in Queensland Cup after Katoa outplayed him in pre-season. Katoa was close to playing the Broncos and is tipped to take the field against the Dragons In Wollongong.
"There is a good opportunity for him now," Bennett said of Milford.
"He did enough tonight to make me happy enough to keep him there.
"Isaiya will probably come into halfback. We made him into a five-eighth but he is a halfback, Isaiya."
Bennett said O'Sullivan will be out for a "little while" after the playmaker came off the field in the 61st minute. The team was already without the suspended Jeremy Marshall-King, and then lost experienced utility Kodi Nikorima with a deep cut to the head in the 26th minute, just two minutes after he had come on.
That left Mason Teague and Ray Stone to share the dummy-half role, with neither of them regular No.9s.
"If we'd had a hooker we would have done a hell of a lot more," Bennett said.
"Halfback's gone. Hooker's gone ... and we are still in there at 14-12 ... incredible.
"You need those key players in key positions. They weren't there. We were so brave to keep ourselves in the game and that's what was a miracle."
The Dolphons could also be without winger Tesi Nui, who injured his knee early, had it strapped and battled on for the entirety on one leg.
"For a young guy to do that and put his body on the line for the team just shows you what kind of club we want to be and what kind of club we are," Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich said.
"Wayne gave him a huge wrap in the sheds for the way he was able to push through when we didn't have any backs that could play there. He did a really good job and toughed it out."
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Wayne Bennett confirmed Anthony Milford will start at five-eighth for the Dolphins for an extended period, after halfback Sean O'Sullivan suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the 18-12 loss to Brisbane.
Milford, a 207-game veteran, hadn't played NRL since August last year but was rushed into the side at No.6 against the Broncos on Friday, after 19-year-old Isaiya Katoa was still suffering the effects of an elbow injury.
READ MORE: Ricciardo shares 'different' plan for year off
READ MORE: Shark's admission amid early-season slump
READ MORE: 'Vulnerable' Aussie ace 'embracing discomfort'
The former Bronco turned in a solid performance, setting up a try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with a neat grubber, and kept his line in defence.
The 28-year-old was a mainstay of Bennett's Broncos team from 2015 to 2018 but started this season in Queensland Cup after Katoa outplayed him in pre-season. Katoa was close to playing the Broncos and is tipped to take the field against the Dragons In Wollongong.
"There is a good opportunity for him now," Bennett said of Milford.
"He did enough tonight to make me happy enough to keep him there.
"Isaiya will probably come into halfback. We made him into a five-eighth but he is a halfback, Isaiya."
Bennett said O'Sullivan will be out for a "little while" after the playmaker came off the field in the 61st minute. The team was already without the suspended Jeremy Marshall-King, and then lost experienced utility Kodi Nikorima with a deep cut to the head in the 26th minute, just two minutes after he had come on.
That left Mason Teague and Ray Stone to share the dummy-half role, with neither of them regular No.9s.
"If we'd had a hooker we would have done a hell of a lot more," Bennett said.
"Halfback's gone. Hooker's gone ... and we are still in there at 14-12 ... incredible.
"You need those key players in key positions. They weren't there. We were so brave to keep ourselves in the game and that's what was a miracle."
The Dolphons could also be without winger Tesi Nui, who injured his knee early, had it strapped and battled on for the entirety on one leg.
"For a young guy to do that and put his body on the line for the team just shows you what kind of club we want to be and what kind of club we are," Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich said.
"Wayne gave him a huge wrap in the sheds for the way he was able to push through when we didn't have any backs that could play there. He did a really good job and toughed it out."
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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