Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett believes five-eighth Anthony Milford will take his game to another level now that his future at the club is secure.
The Broncos announced on Friday morning that Milford had re-signed with the club, with the 23-year-old signing a four-year deal that will keep him at Red Hill until at least the end of 2021.
The Samoan international was hot property on the player market this year, fielding offers from a number of clubs, with none more high profile than the Melbourne Storm.
But he's chosen to stay in Brisbane, and after struggling to focus without his future sorted, Milford is set to hit new heights.
His mentor Bennett is expecting big things, saying that Milford will become one of the game's best by the time his new contract finishes.
"He's a future star of the game with a lot of upside in him," Bennett said.
"He's only 23 so by the time he finishes his next contract he'll hopefully be one of the top players in the game.
"There's (so much potential) for him. It will take a little bit longer to come but it's there. We all know what he can do.
"He just has to mature so that's the big challenge for him now. He'll need to take more responsibility in the game as the years go by."
One of the biggest signings in Brisbane's history, Milford will now have time to concentrate on his football and help deliver the Broncos an NRL Premiership for the first time since 2006.
"(His future) had been weighing on his mind. It's a major signing for us and we are very pleased with it," Bennett said.
"We were always on our toes with him because we didn't want to lose him.
"He's pleased to be here. It's a four-year deal so he's got nothing else to worry about.
"He's looking pretty good and he's happy with the deal so he can get on with his football now."
The Manly Sea Eagles are hoping Milford's promising form doesn't continue during Saturday night's double-header when they travel to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Broncos.
Coach Trent Barrett is on high alert for the star five-eighth, saying he has taken serious note of the statistics behind Milford's outstanding start to the 2017 season.
"He's a key to them. He leads almost every statistic for them in line breaks, tackle busts and offloads," Barrett said.
"He's certainly a handful so we're certainly going to have to watch him, but they've got strike power across the park."
This video first appeared on broncos.com.au
