'It’s not good': CCTV footage looms as key to Anthony Milford's future

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has poured fresh doubts over the NRL future of Anthony Milford after reaffirming that the NRL won't "tolerate any violence against women or children."

Former Broncos star Milford was this week cleared in court after assault charges against the 27-year-old were dropped.

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The charges related to an incident outside a Brisbane nightclub late last year, which were dropped by prosecutors earlier this week after footage showed a conviction would not be achieved on the evidence.

Milford did plead guilty to public nuisance and wilful damage, and was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.

Despite the assault charges being dropped, the NRL Integrity Unit has since launched an investigation of its own into Milford's actions that night, which were captured on CCTV.

Their investigation will likely lead to Milford spending more time on the sidelines under the NRL's 'no fault' stand down policy, with the Newcastle Knights hoping that the dropped charges would have paved the way for the playmaker to join the club for the remainder of the season.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett - who could be interested in signing Milford for 2023 - and Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou both spoke out this week in support of the player and urged the NRL to register his contract.

However, V’landys says the decision on whether or not the NRL rubber-stamps Milford's return, rests largely on the contents of the CCTV footage.

“We have to determine if he’s a fit and proper person to play the game and at the moment there’s a video of the incident and one thing we don’t tolerate is domestic violence, we will not tolerate any violence towards women,” V’Landys told foxsports.com.au.

“I haven’t seen the video to be quite frank but I’m told it’s not good. The integrity unit have seen it.

“The board don’t involve itself in the day to day administration of these things, it just sets the policy so that’s why I haven’t seen it.

“But the board’s policy is we do not tolerate any violence against women or children.

Coaches go in to bat for Anthony Milford

Bennett provided a character reference in court for the 27-year-old, as Milford looks to rejoin the NRL via a deal with the Newcastle Knights.

"Of all the things I have seen in the game and the moments we’ve seen from other players who have offended, I cannot comprehend it if Anthony is not allowed to play NRL in the very near future," Bennett told the Courier Mail.

"The courts have cleared Anthony of assault. The criminal justice system has dealt with him. Anthony is a 200-gamer and first-time offender in the NRL.

"He pleaded guilty to the minor charges but the courts agreed he was not guilty of assaulting anyone.

“Based on that, I hope he is back in the NRL very soon. I know Anthony won’t offend again.”

Rabbitohs coach Demetriou admitted his club was disappointed in not being able to come good on its deal to sign Milford after court proceedings derailed the five-eighth's move to Redfern.

Milford had agreed terms to sign with Demetriou's side after finishing up with Brisbane last season, but the move broke down due to delays in his court case being heard.

"I'm disappointed he didn't get to play for Souths due to the incident," said Demetriou, who previously worked with Milford when an assistant coach at Brisbane.

"It's not the time or the place to be talking about that.

"I've been in regular contract with him making sure he's ok.

"He's a human, he makes mistakes. I'm not just his coach but his friend and I'll continue to be there for the future."

with AAP

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