Parker excited by Milford Broncos debut

Corey Parker may be looking forward to his 300th game for Brisbane but he sounds more excited by playmaker Anthony Milford's official Broncos debut.

Of course, milestone man Corey Parker is looking forward to his 300th NRL game.

But he sounds more excited about Canberra recruit Anthony Milford making his official Broncos debut.

Parker will become just the second Broncos player behind Darren Lockyer (355) to shatter the 300-game barrier when he runs out against NRL defending premiers South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Yet the Test and Queensland backrower who made his Broncos debut way back in 2001 reckoned the man of the moment was Milford.

The former Raiders X-factor will chime into the halves with 2014 revelation Ben Hunt in his first official hit-out since Brisbane won a tug-of-war over Canberra for the playmaker.

And it seems Parker - 33 in May - can't wait.

"I am as excited as the fans to see Anthony Milford run around," the usually stoic Parker gushed.

"I get to train with him and see the skill that he has got but he has only scratched the surface in a Broncos jersey.

"Milf is a superstar in his own right.

"The more time he gets and more cohesion with Benny Hunt the better for us.

"On Thursday night I will be excited to run out beside him (Milford)."

Parker's mind boggled over what pivot Milford could achieve rubbing shoulders with Hunt, who went from Broncos bench utility to Test halfback in his first year in the No.7 Brisbane jersey in 2014.

"Individually they are some of the best halves running around," he said.

"The challenge is to gel together - but that is something they are working very hard on."

Hunt admitted he had been pleasantly surprised by Milford.

"He is a bit different to what I thought," he said.

"Like a lot of people I thought he was an ad lib player but there is a lot of structure to his game - but when things break down then he goes to his off-the-cuff style.

"He is very exciting for us."

But there is no denying Parker will be the focus when he dons the Broncos jersey for the 300th time.

Parker said he could still remember his debut 14 years ago - a round six away clash with the Warriors.

"I got called late into the squad which is probably a good thing - I didn't have much time to think about it," Parker laughed.

"And I still get nervous. It's the fear of failure I guess.

"There's been a few changes in the game since I started but the one that stands out is the emphasis on winning the ruck with the wrestle - it's a lot faster now.

"But while a lot has changed, running around for 80 minutes with my mates is still my favourite part of the week."


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Source: AAP


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