Let coach swap start right away, say greats

SOUTH Sydney greats Bob McCarthy and Craig Coleman say it’s common sense for Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold to swap posts now rather than wait for the 2020 NRL season.

The Rabbitohs trumpeted the signature of Bennett on a two-year deal on Thursday, while Seibold is expected to be unveiled as his replacement at the Broncos by mid next week at the latest.

However, both Bennett and the Rabbitohs are insistent the move won’t take place until the end of next season, a point rammed home by the super coach in an interview on Thursday unless the Broncos move to release him.

That seems to defy all common practice in the NRL, given clubs are meticulous in their planning for future seasons well in advance and coaches rarely stay long before their time is up.

Neither McCarthy or Coleman have any issues with Seibold’s departure, but suggest it would be best for the Rabbitohs if they could land Bennett immediately.

“If he (Bennett) stays up there next year and the coach this year at Souths is going away the year after, you don’t think they’d have their mind on the job 100 per cent,” McCarthy said.

“I think it will be a good position for both to do a settlement and get Bennett down here as quick as he can.

“Seibs wants to get up there as quick as he can too so he can settle in and then Souths can get three years out of Bennett.” Coleman, who played 267 games for Souths before later coaching them for three seasons, didn’t believe staying would hurt either coach but wanted the move to come about this off-season regardless.

“I think it should happen straight away, but that’s only my thoughts and I think everyone looks at it,” he said.