Brisbane playmaker Anthony Milford has played down a scare on his surgically-repaired shoulder but stopped short of saying he was in the best shape of his career.
The Broncos' half revealed he will turn out in the Broncos' trial against Queensland Cup side Wynnum-Manly later in the month to ensure his shoulder gets a proper workout before the start of the NRL season.
Milford underwent a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season after suffering a partial dislocation in the Broncos' last-round win over Manly, before playing with the injury in the finals loss to St George Illawarra.
It was the second year in a row that Milford went under the knife on his left shoulder.
He has spent the past five months building up strength.
Milford was attended to by medical staff during Brisbane's training run at Red Hill on Monday but he said he did not suffer any injury recurrence.
"I had a bit of a scare there in training but everything is looking really positive," Milford said.
"The strength and conditioning (staff) and (head of performance) Paul Devlin have looked after me real well with regard to weights and getting some strength back in it.
"It is not quite 100 per cent but it is near that mark."
The club's February 23 trial against Wynnum-Manly was expected to be a chance to give coach Anthony Seibold a look at some of his second-string players, however, Milford said he was targeting the clash.
Seibold said Milford looked to be in the best shape of his career as he gets set for a potentially career-defining year after copping criticism for not taking enough control of the side last year.
"I am certainly feeling a lot fitter and better when we are doing our stuff at training," Milford said.
"Only time will tell (if he is in the best shape of his life). I can only do my best."
The signing of Sean O'Sullivan from the Sydney Roosters has created competition for Milford and halves partner Kodi Nikorima.
Milford admitted his 2018 didn't meet his expectation and he needed to be more reliable.
"I just feel that it is more (about performing) on a consistent basis," Milford said.
"Just being better week-in and week-out and improving week-in and week-out and not just staying the same."
