It's been a rough couple of years for Anthony Milford at the Brisbane Broncos, after so much promise in his early days at the club.
The five-eighth took the Broncos to a grand final appearance in 2015 alongside Ben Hunt, but ever since the latter departed for the Dragons, he has struggled to produce his best footy on a consistent basis.
Still only 26 years of age, Milford finds himself on the lookout for a new home in 2022, and while clubs may be reluctant to throw big money at him, he could be an astute buy for the right price.
Another thing potentially in Milford's favour is that he has the ability to play in the halves or at fullback, which makes him a promising buy for a few clubs who are short in both roles.
It would unfortunately take a minor miracle to see the Broncos re-sign Milford, with head coach Kevin Walters looking at Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds as their long-term halves.
An untimely injury certainly won't help his cause, with Milford set to undergo knee surgery and miss a month of footy.
So in turn, as we've done with Adam Reynolds earlier in the year and are still doing with Matt Dufty and Shaun Johnson, we've ranked the likely destinations for Milford heading into next year.
Here's where we think Anthony Milford could sign for 2022.
1. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
There is no doubting that Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt have played their best footy when they are together - so why not explore that option?
While there has been a criticism or running joke about the Dragons signing a host of former Broncos players since Anthony Griffin took over as coach, leaning into some old combinations in this case wouldn't be the worst option.
It is becoming clearer each week that Hunt and Corey Norman simply don't work well together, and with the latter off-contract at the end of 2021, that combination looks set to come to an end.
Milford and Hunt know each other's games, have had great success together and they will have plenty of attacking weapons at their disposal in the likes of Zac Lomax, Jack Bird and Mikaele Ravalawa.
And even though Griffin has said the club are looking to promote within to replace fullback Matt Dufty, the option would always be there to use Milford in that position as well if one of the younger players struggled in the top grade.
As an aside, Milford is also cousins with Dragons recruit Francis Molo.
2. CANBERRA RAIDERS
It would be a nice touch to see Milford return to his former club - but it would also be a move that makes sense.
After the departure of George Williams, it appears as though the Raiders are one playmaker short for next year and they could do a lot worse than signing the 26-year-old.
What may be standing in Milford's way of moving back to the Green Machine is that five-eighth Jack Wighton is a ball-runner, so a partnership between the two may not work unless one of them improved their game-management skills.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad looks to have the fullback spot locked in long-term, but surgery for a neck issue this year has set him back, and Milford has shown plenty of times he can play the No.1 role.
3. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Trent Barrett has already solved one piece of the halves puzzle for next season with the acquisition of Matt Burton - but who is going to partner him?
None of the options currently at the Bulldogs are demanding to be in the mix for next year - namely Kyle Flanagan, who has been dropped from the side in recent weeks.
Milford would present an experienced partner for Burton, but would also be able to take the back-seat as the Panthers star has already shown a quality kicking game and knows how to steer the side around.
The other thing potentially in his favour is the Bulldogs don't have a set fullback for next year. Josh Addo-Carr may be on big money, but there is no guarantee he moves from the wing.
4. GOLD COAST TITANS
Milford was born in Queensland and has been living there since 2015 after signing with the Broncos, so he may want to stay put - and there is potentially an opening at the Titans.
With playmaker Ash Taylor off-contract at the end of the year, Jamal Fogarty and Tanah Boyd seem the likely halves for next year, but that certainly isn't set in stone.
Fogarty is the captain of the club and will be the No.7, but there are still doubts over Boyd and Miford could certainly move there and battle it out with the Keebra Park Product.
5. CRONULLA SHARKS
This one has been rumoured recently, and while it looks to have gone a bit cold, there's still a chance Milford could move to the Shire.
After securing the services of Nicho Hynes on a three-year deal, reports suggest that Matt Moylan will be re-signed and Shaun Johnson will be let go - but as it stands, both remain off-contract.
There would obviously be doubts over how Hynes and Milford would work together, but the interest has been there before so there's no reason that couldn't reignite.
