The Canberra Raiders would be highly unlikely to secure disgruntled Brisbane Broncos custodian Josh Hoffman in a straight swap for Anthony Milford, but could use another Queensland junior to fill their fullback hole.
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As speculation builds that Milford wants to remain in Brisbane and join the Broncos, the Raiders have re-signed promising utility Mitch Cronin until the end of 2015.
The 21-year-old was a part of the Raiders' under-20s team in 2012 and played last season for Canberra's NSW Cup affiliate Mounties, switching between fullback and dummy-half.
The Raiders remain intent on ensuring Milford honours the final year of his contract next season.
Hoffman could be a target for the Raiders if they lose that battle.
Hoffman is set to shift to the wing for the Broncos following the addition of Canterbury Bulldogs livewire Ben Barba. He is reportedly seeking a release from the final two years of his contract, but the Broncos are intent on him seeing out the remainder of his deal.
Hoffman's manager, Paul Hogan, said the chances of the Kiwi international being offered to the Raiders in exchange for Milford were slim. He believed Cronin, also one of his clients, could be in the mix.
''Josh has two years to run on his contract and obviously we're in talks with the Broncos all the time, so we'll resolve those issues,'' Hogan said.
''[Hoffman] might be, but we've got another pretty handy player there in Mitch Cronin.
''He's a Souths Logan boy from up here and played most of the 2012 season in the under-20s at fullback.
''I know [former Raiders coach David] Furner looked at him as a long-term hooking prospect, but they like him at one or nine.
''He is a bit like a young Josh Hoffman in the way he plays the game, he's a very solid player, has very few mistakes in his game and is good defensively.''
Milford made his international debut for Samoa in its opening game of the World Cup against New Zealand in Warrington on Monday morning (Australian time). The 19-year-old has reportedly told relatives he will not return to Canberra, so he can be closer to his sick father Halo.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart travelled to Brisbane recently and met Milford's family in a bid to convince the boom rookie to change his mind.
The Raiders will not activate the clause in Milford's contract relating to family illness unless they are told to do so by the NRL.
Rival clubs can begin negotiating with Milford for the 2015 season from November 1.
Other options for the Raiders at fullback if Milford leaves include Reece Robinson and NSW under-20s representative Jack Ahearn.
Mounties coach Steve Antonelli has been impressed with Cronin's attitude and believes he can make the step up to the NRL.
''He's played in the halves, as a nine and at fullback, so he's more of a utility player,'' Antonelli said.
''He can adapt to several positions, which is a sign he can play anywhere.
''You want kids in the system who want to learn and he's one of them.''
Mounties duo Clay Priest, 24, and Reece Goldsmith, 23, will train with the Raiders' first-squad leading into the Christmas break when pre-season training starts on Thursday.
Priest is a second-rower while Goldsmith can play at either dummy-half or lock.
