Rejected Bronco a threat to Bennett
PENRITH centre Dean Whare claims Anthony Griffin’s axing as coach has made things clearer at the Panthers after players had already seen successor Cameron Ciraldo taking over more this year.
With three regular season games to play, the Panthers insist their NRL premiership charge remains on track after they last week became the first club to sack a coach while in a finals- playing position.
But Whare said the team had long been reacting differently to the former assistant and head attacking coach Ciraldo, and it meant little would have to change in the run home.
“I think Ciro is a little more vocal than he ( Griffin) was,” Whare said.
“( Griffin) hadn’t really lost the sheds, just the way the boys responded to Ciro and to Hook was a bit different.
“The way he directed us as an assistant coach, especially in attack and the way we run around.
“Overall Hook took over everything else and sort of sat back and let Ciro take over.
“Nothing has to change too much as a playing group. Ourselves, we’ve just got to work on our defence and everything else that was put in place is the same now.”
Penrith returned to training yesterday after they claimed another come- from- behind win, over the Gold Coast, in Ciraldo’s first game in charge. Whare said the group had in some way seen Griffin’s axing coming after a season of speculation and internal rumblings.
“It’s been on the cards for a while now,” he said.
“It’s a bit of everything. The media, just through the club and the way Ciro has been taking over in the past year.” CYRIL Connell delivered Wayne Bennett his biggest stars and now one of the legendary Broncos scout’s unheralded recruits could put a dagger into Bennett’s coaching career in Brisbane.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold is plotting the Broncos’ downfall in a Suncorp Stadium showdown on Thursday night which could have major ramifications for Bennett.
Bennett is fighting to save Brisbane’s season and his job at Red Hill following revelations the seven- time premiership winner could be sacked within weeks.
Broncos powerbrokers have identified the rising Seibold as the man to replace Bennett and lead Brisbane into a new era.
Seibold was a reserve grade player at the Broncos from 1992- 95 after being signed by late recruitment guru Connell, the man who brought 300game stars Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker to the Broncos.
Seibold could not secure an NRL debut under Bennett, but he now has the chance to send Brisbane crashing out of the top eight and further cloud Bennett’s future at the Broncos.
The Rabbitohs mentor has become the NRL’s hottest coaching property after guiding South Sydney into second place on the ladder in his first year. Broncos lock Josh McGuire spent time under Seibold during his stint as Kevin Walters’ assistant in the Queensland Origin team.
“He was a fantastic coach at Origin,” McGuire said.
“He was very knowledgeable of the game and is doing a great job with them now.
“It’s good to see him get an opportunity down there and show what he can do.
Bennett, 68, is contracted to the Broncos until the end of the 2019 season and has had a proposal for a oneyear extension rejected by club management.
Seibold’s contract with South Sydney expires at the end of next season, leaving him open to join the Broncos.
Bennett’s relationship with CEO Paul White has broken down following the club’s pursuit of Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and Brisbane’s unravelling season has further clouded the situation.
Bennett summoned his players for a public speech at yesterday’s training session following disappointing losses to cellar dwellers Canterbury ( 14th) and North Queensland ( last) in the past fortnight.
The eighth- placed Broncos are still not guaranteed a play- offs appearance and face a tough final three weeks of the season with matches against the Rabbitohs ( second), Roosters ( first, away) and Sea Eagles ( 12th, home).
Bennett and the Broncos have gagged players from commenting on the coach’s future.
However, forward Alex Glenn insisted the uncertainty was not causing the team’s sloppy performance.
“Wayne’s got our backs and we’ve got Wayne’s back …
“We’re not letting outside noise creep in and interfere with our vibe,” he said yesterday.