Anthony Milford ended lingering speculation over his NRL future on Friday by reporting for duty at Canberra headquarters.
In an unusual arrangement, the Dally M rookie of the year will link with Brisbane for 2015 but, for next season, he remains committed to the Raiders.
Canberra confirmed as much last month, although reported comments from Milford suggested he wasn’t happy with the arrangement and was after a speedier move to Brisbane to be with his family.
However, any doubts would appear to have been put to bed after the club posted a picture on Twitter on Friday of a smiling Milford sitting with coach Ricky Stuart.
It’s a relationship built on rocky foundations, but Canberra are confident their Mal Meninga Medal winner, and most dangerous attacking weapon, will continue to give the Raiders his all.
The first step was taken on Friday, and the early signs are good, as Milford met Stuart and training staff to kick off preparations for next season.
The electric fullback and half hasn’t been required at the club’s off-season sessions after starring for Samoa at the World Cup but, on Friday, he was given a clean bill of health and will return to full training on January 8.
“We break next week so he was just getting medical screenings and getting a program for the off-season and a return date,” Raiders chief executive Don Furner told AAP.
“Of course it’s a boost. It’s been a long year for everybody.
“As strange as it is in terms of the way contracting is done … that’s just the way it is and we’ve just got to live with that and move on.
“He’ll be professional enough to get by so that’s good.”
Kangaroos star Josh Papalii was another to return to the Raiders on Friday, after a breakout World Cup tournament.
With Papalii and Milford in their ranks, Canberra could field a very potent Nines team for the inaugural Auckland competition in February, however the Raiders are yet to decide on which stars will play.