Milford prepared to boycott season

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ANTHONY Milford's manager says the Canberra sensation is prepared to emulate Gorden Tallis and sit out a full season if Raiders hierarchy try to block his return home.

And Milford, speaking for the first time since asking for a release, appealed for Canberra boss Don Furner to "understand my feelings" as the teenager seeks a return to his sick father in Brisbane.

That scenario would put the Broncos in the box seat to snare the hottest emerging talent in the NRL.

But the Milford saga is turning messy, with the Rugby League Players' Association watching events closely after receiving correspondence following the rookie's request for a release a fortnight ago.

Raiders boss Don Furner is playing hardball with Milford, insisting the club won't be mutually agreeing to a release by invoking a welfare clause relating to family illness.

But Milford's agent Sam Ayoub says the Raiders are powerless to stop the 19-year-old, who faces playing for affiliate club Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup if he returns home next season.

Former Queensland and Australia captain Gorden Tallis famously sat out the 1996 season when St George refused to rescind the final year of his contract for him to join the Broncos.

Sitting out the 2014 campaign is a last-resort option for Milford, but a course of action Ayoub says the boom rookie will take if the Raiders won't sign off on a release.

"I'm sick to death of Canberra trying to bully and intimidate Anthony," Ayoub said.

"It's ridiculous. Canberra really have no leg to stand on, it's a bit of grandstanding.

Anthony Milford in action for the Raiders.

"Anthony will sit out the season if he has to. I hope it won't come to that because he is entitled to have the clause terminated and I'm confident he will, simple as that.

"The reality is they can't stop him going.

"We have a legitimate clause based on circumstances, there was a lot of correspondence between us and Canberra and that correspondence will support our position.

"They told Anthony if you sign with us, your welfare is the most important thing, if you need to be with your family that's something we will certainly look to do for you.

"Now that he has become a top footballer, the welfare side of it goes out the window."

Furner says he has contacted the NRL but Ayoub says he has no intention of dealing with the code's hierarchy because the terms of Milford's contract are "black and white".

"I won't go to the NRL - I don't need to waste my time," he said.

"Canberra are going to the NRL because they know they have no leg to stand on.

"The truth is they talked Anthony out of going home last year. They sent him home for 10 days last year because Anthony was homesick.

"Why did they agree to have the clause put in there if they aren't prepared to accept there is a possibility Anthony could act on it?

"It is unfortunate for them that Anthony wants to go home, but they were aware of his circumstances and they agreed to the clause.

"If they were confident in their position, they wouldn't need to go to the NRL."

Speaking before Canberra's clash against Canterbury on Saturday night, Milford said he would put family before football.

"I have spoken to my manager about it and I am sticking to how I feel - I am putting my family first," he said.

"We had the clause put in my contract. I want to go home to look after my old man.

"I'm not sure when I'll move back to Inala, I don't know too much about what is going on. I am focusing on football and leaving the negotiations to Sam. I've told them what I need.

"I'm always for my family and I will set them up first before I do anything else. I talk to them on a daily basis to ask what they want. They can't see themselves living in Canberra. I have a big family in Brisbane and if I move them down it distances them from the rest of our family.

"I'm not sure what the Raiders will do. All I can say is that I have a clause and it's for my old man. The club knew how I felt. Fair enough if I didn't have the clause but I do have it.

"I hope they understand my feelings."

RLPA boss David Garnsey said the organisation will get involved if a resolution cannot be reached.

"I've been copied in on a couple of pieces of correspondence but I haven't seen the contract or specifically the term within it," he said.

"It's my understanding the matter is between his management and the club.

"No doubt if it comes to the point where there is no resolution, we are asked to get involved, but that has not happened as yet.

"I'm not aware of the extent of the NRL's involvement but I'm fairly certain if the matter can't be resolved, Anthony's management will be in touch with us."

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