Seibold a family man in demand
FORMER Mackay Cutters coach Anthony Seibold has created a family- first culture at South Sydney that is similar to the example set by respected mentors Wayne Bennett and Mal Meninga.
That is the message from Rabbitohs players, who have urged Seibold to knock back interest from Brisbane and re- sign at Redfern.
Seibold has publicly stated he will wait until after the season to decide his future. Brisbane have also said they won’t move on a coach to replace Wayne Bennett post- 2019 until after the season.
This has prompted suggestions Seibold could link with the Broncos when Bennett’s contract expires at the end of next year.
Souths players insist their coach’s future hasn’t been discussed, but they are desperate to see him remain in the red and green long- term.
Five- eighth Cody Walker has benefited greatly from Seibold’s influence this season – on and off the field.
Walker was particularly touched by Seibold’s genuine care when he lost his mother – Linda Stewart – to a heart attack in early May.
The Souths mentor went out of his way to support Cody and his family, even attending his mother’s funeral service in Nowra.
“That meant the world to me,” Walker said. “Anthony has been a fantastic influence on me. The whole team got on a bus and came down. My family will forever be grateful for that.
“It has been a challenging year for myself off the field, but Anthony has been outstanding and it just goes to show how close we are as a group. Family is a massive part of what we do here. We like to think we are a family club and a tight- knit group.
“Anthony has been a big driver in that.”
Rabbitohs centre Dane Gagai has been equally impressed with Seibold’s coaching style, comparing the Bunnies mentor to Bennett and Meninga.
“Anthony really understands his players and that is something I’ve found in the coaches I’ve had in the past,” Gagai said.
“At Newcastle, Wayne Bennett really understood his players and he gave them confidence.
“Then I had the opportunity to debut and play for Mal Meninga in the Australian side. Mal has a great understanding of his players and Anthony is the same.
“When you have a genuine person like that, you don’t want to let them down and you know he is always going to have your back.”
As much as Souths want Seibold to stay, Gagai says the players can’t afford to get caught up in speculation surrounding their coach.