New Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold won’t seek to smoke the peace pipe with Broncos greats who protested his appointment, saying he hoped to win them over with results.
Chris Johns and Glenn Lazarus led a chorus of disapproval from former Brisbane players over ex-South Sydney mentor Seibold replacing Wayne Bennett, saying the job should have gone to Broncos favourite son Kevin Walters.
Johns even questioned Seibold’s coaching credentials, saying the Rabbitohs “choked” in 2018 despite losing the NRL preliminary final to the eventual premiers Sydney Roosters.
Seibold admitted he was not aware of the criticism but hoped to make Broncos greats proud with his 2019 results.
“I can’t control the other commentary outside this group,” said Seibold, who has signed a five-year Broncos deal.
“What I do know is that there is a great legacy left behind by the old boys at the Broncos.
“What excited me is that there is an opportunity by this group to create their own history.
“I haven’t really listened to the commentary. Of course I want the old boys to be proud of this club and our performance but my priority is the staff and players, they are the ones who control the result.”
Seibold finally took over the Broncos reins on Monday after a month-long coach swap saga ended when South Sydney-bound Bennett was sensationally sacked via phone message on the weekend.
Seibold – a former Brisbane reserve grade player – said he would follow the example set by greats such as Johns and Lazarus in his maiden Broncos campaign in 2019.
“Although I didn’t play first grade here I had four seasons in the lower grades here (and) I saw how hard the players worked,” he said.
“It was a successful period of time for the first grade side.
“So looking up to people like Alfie (Allan Langer), Glenn Lazarus, Chris Johns, Kevvie Walters and those sort of guys you’d be crazy if you don’t learn something from them.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how hard the players work and how much they want to play.”
While some greats questioned Seibold’s Broncos credentials, the new Brisbane coach said he was as Queenslander as they come.
“The opportunity to come back to my home state and coach the Broncos was always something that was an attraction to me,” said Rockhampton-born Seibold.
“My parents live in central Queensland, my sister lives on the Gold Coast and my brother and his family are transferring at some stage for work (to Queensland).
“This is a great opportunity to come back to Queensland. I see it as a positive challenge.”
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Roar Guru
Broncos have had 3 coaches in 31 years. Two (Henjack and Griffen) were rookie coaches. Both of them had win rates below 54% at the Broncos. They are brining in a guy in Seibold who has coached just 27 games (of which he won just 2 of the last 7) and have signed him for 5 years while disguarding one of the great coaches of all time (whether you like him or not, that can't be denied). I totally understand why there is some apprehension among the past players especially as they have a team that is built to win now.
Keith walker
Guest
Best over luck you Strick as a good person . hope every thing gowers for you and your team
Emcie
Roar Guru
By he I mean Johns... When are we getting edit back?
Emcie
Roar Guru
He seems to pop up whenever anything changes at the Broncs. iirc he took issue with Hook being sacked (or maybe henjak...) and slammed the Broncos when Thiaday lost the captaincy because reasons. He just seems to like "slamming" the broncos when they don't do what he want's
Big Daddy
Guest
I am a bronco's fan but also a Wayne fan so his departure in one way to me is disappointing but must move on. Wayne has left seibold with a pretty good roster so he will have no excuses. Although I wish Wayne well I will stick with bronco's through and through. Maybe a fresh approach will work. Kevvie Walters like mal meninga , like Freddie fittler aren't first grade coaches .
Nat
Roar Guru
TBH I hadn't heard of Johns (since his playing days) before this coaching thing came up. Brick though, as a new found poli, he has to put his name on everything and siding with constituent agreement is his way. Remember when he supported the Qld team? Credibility gone on both sides. All any coach has to do is win to gain respect. If they keep carrying on because 'it's not Kevvie', it's to their own detriment. Seibold has got good cattle and all the best facilities available so now it's up to him and the rest don't matter.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If Kevin Walters was coach of Souths last year I wonder if the mighty Chris Johns would be as harsh on their performance? Seibold is replacing a coach who got smacked by Saints in the finals on their home paddock. Choke is a strong word but that would be much closer to a choke than the Bunnies. Maybe Chris Johns can buy a club like the Penns did and chose the coach he wants.
Paul
Roar Guru
You'd hope now that the deal's done, Seibold would get the backing of these critics to try and lift the Broncos to a premiership. I'm no Broncos fan but it would be petty for these guys to continue to carry on when the team and the Club could probably use their support.