SEIBOLD TAKES AIM

Broncos coach puts onus on leaders ahead of sudden-death semi

BRONCOS coach Anthony Seibold has challenged his senior players to improve their attitude on the road as Brisbane attempt to cure their Sydney curse in Sunday’s elimination final against Parramatta. Seibold says the Broncos have to stop relying on the solo brilliance of rookies David Fifita and Payne Haas and has called for more leadership from the likes of Corey Oates, Matt Gillett, Anthony Milford and Andrew McCullough. The Broncos head south to Bankwest Stadium hampered by a dismal away record with Seibold’s troops having conceded a staggering 164 points in five games on Sydney soil this season. Brisbane have conceded an average of 32 points per game in the Harbour City this season and boast a 1-4 losing record headlined by their 38-10 drubbing against the Eels in Round 14 at Bankwest. The Broncos qualified for the finals on the back of some late-season cameos from Haas and Fifita but Seibold says Brisbane’s title charge now hinges on the squad’s top dogs aiming up in sudden-death football. “When we have gone to Sydney we have been very poor – that’s the reality of it,” Seibold said. “We can’t expect Payne Haas and David Fifita to lead us. “Our young forwards have barely played finals, Dave has played one game and Payne is playing his first game this week, so we need guys who have played in big games to lead the way and be more consistent. “I want to see blokes like Corey Oates, Milford and our senior guys standing up this week. “Those guys have played State of Origin. They have played in a grand final. We need those guys to go down there and do the job against Parramatta ... it’s all attitude.” Ironically, Brisbane’s only win in Sydney this year was achieved by the Baby Broncos, who stunned Cronulla 24-22 at PointsBet Stadium in round 16 with 10 rookies in one of the club’s finest triumphs. Otherwise, the Broncos’ top squad have been flogged by the Roosters (36-4 at the SCG), the Rabbitohs (38-6 at ANZ Stadium), the Eels (38-10) and the Bulldogs (30-14) last week at Homebush. “We went down to Cronulla with all those young blokes like Xavier Coates and Herbie Farnworth, we had won five games and it was round 16 and those kids helped turn our season around,” Seibold said. “I don’t see the difference between being home and away, we should play well wherever we go so that’s the challenge for us this week against Parramatta.” Seibold is adamant the Broncos’ self-belief has not been dented by a dismal loss to the Bulldogs on the eve of the finals. “Ideally, you want to take momentum into the finals but I don’t think us playing poorly against the Dogs will have any impact on this game,” he said.