Australian coach Mal Meninga has urged Wayne Bennett to switch misfiring five-eighth Anthony Milford to halfback in an effort to kick-start Brisbane's NRL season.
Heading into Friday's derby against North Queensland, Milford is a man under pressure to deliver on his $1 million pay packet after a lacklustre display in their opening-round thumping at the hands of St George Illawarra.
Milford and halves partner Kodi Nikorima's inability to control the match fuelled fears the pair are both running players and they need a No.7 with the requisite game management skills.
Such arguments ignore the fact they won 10 of 12 games they played together as a starting halves pair last year.
However Meninga said Milford needed to take greater ownership of his side and would benefit from being moved to halfback.
"I think he needs to be more assertive in the way he plays the game," Meninga told Fox Sports' Queenslanders Only.
"He needs to touch the ball more and he needs to be on the ball more.
"Maybe a change of attitude around the number on his back, maybe take the six off his back and put the seven on it.
"Seven's around game management and if you gave him the seven jersey he might be a better player for the Broncos."
Meninga said Milford risked letting the season slip away from him unless he found a way to take the reins.
"We know it's only round one but you've got to set the scene for the season, you want to set a standard of performance that you're going to give each week," Meninga said.
"Round one you've got to have a crack and I think Milford needs to be more assertive in the way he goes about his business."
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