Young Raider gets charge downgraded - Fox Sports

Anthony Milford ... is free to come in for the injury-depleted Canberra Raiders. Source: Ray Strange / AFP

Young Canberra utility back Anthony Milford has had a grade three dangerous contact charge successfully downgraded to provide a timely boost for his injury-ravaged side against Melbourne on Saturday.

The 85kg elusive back was defending metres off his tryline for the Raiders' under-20 team last week when he moved forward and took a low-cover position in front of a rampaging 104kg Cowboys forward, catapulting him over the top of himself using his back and shoulders.

Weighing up a suitable punishment for the dangerous contact proved difficult, with coach David Furner adding that no one had ever seen anything quite like it.

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However the judiciary downgraded the charge from grade three to grade one during an appeal on Wednesday night, and as Milford only has 75 points accumulated, the exciting young talent is free to play just his second NRL game against the undefeated Storm at AAMI Park on Saturday.

It's a welcome boost for the injury-depleted Raiders, who have star players David Shillington (ribs), Josh Papalii (knee), Jarrod Croker (knee) and Joel Thompson (toe) currently in the recovery ward.

The Raiders took note of the way the Warriors had moments of success in throwing the ball around against the Storm last week and Furner is keen to have 18-year-old Milford's unpredictable playing style up his sleeve.

"He's someone who can cover fullback, can cover halves and nine, he's a versatile player," Furner said.

"Against a Melbourne team you need a player of his calibre to try and break their defensive line."

Halfback Josh McCrone also looks likely to overcome a niggling groin injury to pair with captain Terry Campese in the halves.

Meanwhile, enforcer Papalii says he expects to return to the side after having minor operations on both knees either next week for Newcastle or in round 10 against Cronulla.

"I had my first running session today, it went pretty well," Papalii said on Wednesday.

"I had both knees done and that's probably why it's taking longer than usual."