New boss plans to be aggressive
ANTHONY Seibold does not fear Wayne Bennett will lure Broncos players to Redfern, but refused to rule out launching his own poaching raid on the Rabbitohs.
Seibold took over the reins at the Broncos yesterday after Bennett’s 25-year association with Brisbane ended with his dramatic sacking on Sunday.
Bennett, 68, has forged a 40-year coaching career on his ability to create bonds with players and lure stars to play under him.
During the drawn-out coach swap circus, Bennett boldly warned the Broncos certain players at the club were only there because of him.
Whether that translates to Broncos stars heading to South Sydney with Bennett remains to be seen, but Seibold is not holding his breath.
“That’s an individual’s decision,” he said.
Seibold, 44, will inherit one of the NRL’s hottest rosters, full of emerging talent and the potential to deliver Brisbane its first NRL title since 2006.
But the second-year NRL coach will also look to put his stamp on the club and is expected to be active in the player market over the next year.
South Sydney’s NSW Origin hooker Damien Cook has already been linked to the Broncos, but the Rabbitohs are desperate to lock him up.
Seibold dodged questions about whether he would raid the Rabbitohs, but insisted he left Redfern on good terms with his playing group.
“I spoke to all the (Rabbitohs) players (Sunday) night on the phone. I had a really positive working relationship with the players,” he said.