WHO WILL BE NEXT? Seibold saga over; Walters, Green lead candidates
Hornet plots a stinging KO PHOENIX SET FOR SHARKS STRIKERS SHOW NO MERCY
JEFF Horn has been urged to go for the jugular with the bulked-up “machine” given an aggressive fight plan aimed at knocking out Tim Tszyu within six rounds tonight in Townsville.
Emboldened by 4kg of extra muscle,
Horn says he is in the best shape of his career, prompting his trainer Glenn
Rushton to instruct the one-time world champion to embark on a seek-anddestroy mission at Queensland Country
Bank Stadium.
Rushton believes Horn (20-2-1, 13KO) will enter the ring at least 2kg heavier than Tszyu (15-0, 11KO) and warned the son of Kostya to brace for the first defeat of his professional career.
“We have a good chance of a KO and Jeff is going for that,” Rushton said.
ANTHONY Seibold’s tenure as Brisbane Broncos coach is over and calls have intensified for Queensland legend Kevin Walters to take the reins at Red Hill.
Seibold will depart Broncos headquarters for the final time today after he addresses the club’s playing group about his premature exit.
Seibold, 45, is the shortest serving coach in Brisbane’s 32year history, lasting only 20 months into a five-year contract and finishing with a winning record of 37 per cent.
The Broncos are 15th on the ladder with three wins from 15 games and are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon ahead of a showdown with the Sydney Roosters on Friday night. Seibold’s position became untenable, with the Broncos brokering a severance package to farewell Wayne Bennett’s successor immediately.
Seibold yesterday ended a 14-day home quarantine after attending to a family matter in Sydney and made a short appearance at the Broncos’ office, arriving at 5am and departing at 7.30am. He will return this morning and speak to the players about his departure before facing the media and leaving the club for the last time.
Assistant coach Peter Gentle will continue as interim coach for the remaining five rounds. But the race is now on to become the fifth coach of the Broncos, with club favourite Walters and Cowboys premiership-winner Paul Green heading the list of candidates.
The Broncos’ largest private shareholder, Phil Murphy, said Walters had earned the right to have a crack at coaching his beloved club.
“Anthony Seibold has been too scientific for the players, it has all been too much for them,” he said. “They just want to enjoy their football, not get hammered with stuff that is irrelevant. We have become the biggest rabble in Australian sport. It’s beyond belief.
“I fully support a change of coach. Kevvie is a good bloke and a Broncos legend and he understands the club.
“Kevvie’s manner is what the club needs. He is happygo-lucky. He can bring some harmony and culture back to the Broncos. If Kevvie got the job, it would be wonderful for the club. There are some great coaches in the game at the moment that could also be available. There are coaches out there who would love to come and raise the Broncos up to where they were.”
Seibold is unlikely to be the only head to roll at Red Hill.
Chief executive Paul White, chairman Karl Morris and board member Darren Lockyer have been criticised for granting Seibold a five-year deal after one season coaching South Sydney. Head of football Peter Nolan is also facing scrutiny for overseeing Brisbane’s failing roster.
PAGE 37 PAGE 38