Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has angrily denied claims that he is seeking to register four surplus cardboard cut-outs as outside backs before the 30 June deadline.
It is understood that the coach, who is under increasing pressure after three successive losses and conceding 152 points in the opening five rounds, may be planning to replace several of his under-performing players with the unusual recruits, to improve the defence on the Broncos’ edges.
The rumours, which refuse to go away, began when an anonymous source claimed he saw a dejected Seibold shortly after the record 59-0 loss against the Roosters looking with some interest at some of the cardboard figures at Suncorp Stadium.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It is thought Seibold initially wanted to send a cardboard cut-out to face that week’s post-match media interview, a tactic previously used by master coach Wayne Bennett when he sent Darius Boyd to a St George Illawarra press conference in 2009.
However, it seems that the coach then conceived of a far greater opportunity for the cut-outs.
The same source reported that at Broncos training the day after the latest capitulation against Manly, he saw four cardboard figures standing in defensive positions on the training paddock during an opposed contact session.
“I seen them new guys make a lot more tackles at training than the other blokes did in recent matches, that’s for sure”, said the witness, who admitted to being a disgruntled Broncos fan.
“Well, look, at least the coach is trying something different so good on him!” he said, before adding that in attack, the regular squad struggled to score tries against the new defenders during the training session.
The new recruits would not, however, be allowed to play for the Broncos next weekend unless the NRL granted the unusual registration request. However, it would not surprise anyone if Peter V’landys gave the green light.
When asked hypothetically about the concept, V’landys refused to dismiss the idea, saying: “If they can fit them under the salary cap, I don’t have a problem with it in principle. In fact, it may open up a sponsorship opportunity with Visy, which can’t hurt the game, can it?”
When asked what they thought of the alleged strategy, rival fans weren’t so supportive.
One Sharks fan argued that it would be inequitable if Brisbane could bring in four replacements for $22 each given other squads were lumbered with much more expensive stars making roughly the same contribution.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
If approved, the cardboard figures may soon be in short supply as other struggling coaches seek to copy the strategy.
One rival coach remarked that he saw plenty of upside with the idea, particularly given such players would come with a much reduced risk of off-field indiscretions.
The news comes as crowds are slowly being allowed to return to matches, prompting concerns about what the future holds for the cardboard cut-outs.
Welfare organisations have warned of the risk that they may be heartlessly sent to recycling, or worse still, forced to join membership of the Sydney Roosters.
However, for at least four of the cardboard figures, it appears they may have a home at Red Hill.
More to come.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Fair call, John, that was a cheap shot at the Roosters - then again, I'm struggling to feel too sorry for fans of the club that are on track for a three-peat (watching them smoke the Dogs right now. Wow!). Re your comment re rain and strong winds, this is a critical point that is being missed! These cutouts are bound to be flat track (dry/no wind) bullies. They'll be right out of their comfort zone in drenching, driving rain ;)
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Gave me a laugh until you had a go at the Roosters. In all seriousness an amusing read however did you take into account that the cardboard cutouts may struggle if there is heavy rain & strong winds where their impact may be less effective?
kk
Roar Pro
Beautiful ,Albo.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Fair comments Rellum, but don't give up on 2020 just yet! Staggs is proving to be a revelation, and once you get Fifita and Pangai Jnr back, so that Milf is playing off some real go forward, its not hard to see improvement. You were one unlucky call on Thursday night away from beating a very good Sea Eagles outfit! :thumbup:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Cardboard lives matter !
Rellum
Roar Guru
I have been pondering how the Broncs should go about recruitment for 2021. I think we really need to stamp our authority on the market. Go after some real winners in a few positions. Contracts can be broken, just ask the Morris brothers and the Roosters. With Milf not showing much lately, unless he really picks up soon I would be pushing hard for Keary or Munster. Milfs money can be moved to one of those guys next year is the last on his contract and it is fairly common now for unwanted players to move a year early.. That would put us in a strong position to have a player we know can take over games. I really hope Milf really kicks on but at some point we have to admit he is not getting any better. We also need a leader in the pack. Lodge is meant to be that player. To me he has not filled that role. Others like Nat think he is doing OK but I don't think so. Problem is there are not many great middle forwards around who can lead. Maybe go for a near retirement Graham to go around one last time to really try and get the best week in week out from the young guys. But I would push for Jesse Bromwich, again someone who could lead the young pack plus I believe he is off contract. Centre is the other spot but that one is not full of great options to me and in today's football you don't throw money at a centre so with an eye on the cap you don't spend big on this spot. Maybe Bird gets through a preseason, maybe someone like Vudogo comes on or Nui starts there but we really need a good quality centre. Both Morris brothers are off contract so maybe see if one of them is keen to push on again, to build a winning culture, one of them might be the best option but I imagine they would be very hard to convince to head north. What is Inglis up to these days? Of course you need to pay for those players, but there will be a lot of money coming off contract soon. Boyd is gone next year, Milf as I said could be moved on. Lodge can be moved on if we can get a leader to replace him. Bird is surely done with us. He has two years left to run on his contract I believe but if he injures himself again or is not ready by the start of next season we need to find a way to move him on. Then there are too many outside backs who are not going get a run so there needs to be some work in getting some more forward depth as well. Anyway, just some harsh spit balling :)
Kman
Roar Rookie
PS interesting theory re Boyd, but the source was adamant that none of the cardboard cutouts was wearing number 4 :laughing:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nat. As a long suffering fan of a club that has waited a LONG time for another premiership, I actually feel the Broncos fans pain having been through more lean patches than I can count...
Nat
Roar Guru
Rough but fair Kman. :laughing: I can see where the runmour started but that was Boyd on the paddock not a cardboard cutout. :thumbup:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thank you KK, that's very kind! :thumbup:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Dutski, if I can provide a laugh or two, I'd be very happy. We all could do with a few right now ????
kk
Roar Pro
Kman, Your sense of humour is a welcome read alert.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Nice one Kman! I got a good laugh out of that. I can definitely see Cronulla being dirty on that strategy - but they're just jealous! :laughing: :laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
OMGoodness, thanks for the spell check mate, I got time to fix it before DE spotted it. :thumbup:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thanks DP, that is appreciated! But I'm not fit to even untie the laces on the guru Dane's Addidas boots!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Kman, :laughing: :laughing: great read and a good start to your contributions. You’ll get Dane’s spot soon.. Cheers :thumbup: