Bennett job bombshell

THE on-again, off-again NRL coaching swap is off — again.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett admitted he felt for South Sydney but typically made no apologies after dropping the bombshell that he would refuse to step down from the Broncos.

In a classic Bennett curve ball, a mooted swap with the Rabbitohs’ Anthony Seibold for 2019 stalled again when the Brisbane coach called players and staff into a meeting yesterday and announced he would remain at Red Hill next year.

Months of speculation looked set to finally end with South Sydney reportedly thrashing out financial terms for a swap with Brisbane after aggressively seeking a 2019 release for Bennett.

In another twist, Seibold was reportedly set to be un- veiled yesterday as Broncos coach for 2019. But the wily Bennett had other ideas, calling a snap press conference of his own at Red Hill. Bennett admitted he had no idea about the mooted Seibold press conference and almost offered an apology to the Rabbitohs for digging his heels in — almost.

“I am disappointed for them but at the same time they understand my position and I will be there in 2020 for them,” Bennett said. “I have been terribly consistent with it [staying at Brisbane] and nothing has changed today. I will honour my 2019 contract which was always my plan.”

The only way South Sydney can now get their man in 2019 is if Brisbane sacks Bennett — a fate the 68-year-old did not rule out.

The Broncos stuck to their mantra that they would honour Bennett’s 2019 contract.

The swap had been mooted for months since Bennett confirmed he would coach at South Sydney on a two-year deal from 2020 — the same year Seibold had agreed to mentor Brisbane on a four-season contract.

Asked why he was staying, Bennett said: “The players, staff I work with, the fans. I just felt I would be letting them down if I left a year before I should.”