Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans says playmaker Anthony Milford is in the best shape of his career as the Samoan international prepares to resuscitate his season.
The 28-year-old got his first NRL action for 2023 last week in the 18-12 loss to the Broncos when teenager Isaiya Katoa was ruled out with an elbow injury.
The Dolphins lost halfback Sean O'Sullivan during the match with a serious pectoral tear which will keep him out for at least 12 weeks.
That has opened the door for 207-game veteran Milford who was left out of the round one team after Katoa out-shone him in the pre-season.
Hickmans has a long history with Milford. The pair worked together at the Broncos under now Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett where Hickmans had the same role.
"I've worked with Milf for a long while and from a physical perspective he's as good as I have ever seen him," Hickmans told AAP.
"He's approached it in a really good way. He's been consistent and his attitude had been great. It would have been nice to have a full pre-season with him but that wasn't the case with the World Cup.
"Hopefully he will get a good run now and get the confidence where we see the best of him."
Milford is not a lithe, lean machine. He's always been a nuggety playmaker and often had his fitness questioned by those who don't understand his makeup.
"I have always had big wraps on Milf. From my point of view he's always been unfairly criticised for his fitness and weight over the years. He is actually a really good athlete," Hickmans said.
The Dolphins will field their third different combination in the spine in three weeks against St George-Illawarra in Wollongong on Saturday night.
Jeremy Marshall-King returns at hooker after being suspended for two weeks. Katoa trained well with Milford on Monday and is set to make his return in the halves.
Milford played two games for the CQ Capras in the Queensland Cup while out of the team and impressed forward Connelly Lemuelu with his attitude.
"He's been a legend about it. He didn't kick stones. He went back to state cup and played some really good footy at the Capras," Lemuelu said.
"It just shows the professional he is, going back there and doing the job. He got his opportunity last week and took it and we back him to do it again."
The return of Marshall-King is a crucial one for the Dolphins who have missed not having a special No.9 the past two weeks.
"He was probably the best of our players in those first two games." Lemuelu said.
"He brings a lot in attack. He will get our forwards going forward and he's a good defender who will keep that middle tight...so definitely a big addition for us."
