BBL09: Heat recruit Tom Banton confused about which Brisbane suburb he plays for

When the Heat’s English recruit Tom Banton was asked which Brisbane grade cricket team he was playing for this weekend, he responded “William-Dillum”. Here’s what he actually meant.

Coach Anthony Seibold, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

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Anthony Seibold has taken up pilates to get fit and escape the relentless grind of being an NRL head coach.

Seibold endured a stressful debut season at Red Hill which culminated in the Broncos’ 58-0 finals loss to Parramatta.

The Broncos coach has been savouring 45 minutes of silence with the testing exercise sessions at a Paddington gym.

“I have started doing pilates,” Seibold told Blindside.

“I’m going to BodySmart Health in Paddington. I love it because I am challenged by it.

“It is 45 minutes where I am not thinking about footy, I’m not thinking about anything else but trying to get through the exercises.

“It’s all new to me. It’s hard, I’m doing it twice a week and no one knows me down there. I’m in a class with all ladies so it’s been good for me.”

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Seibold isn’t afraid to try something new. Photo: Liam Kidston.

Seibold, 45, has had a whirlwind first year at the Broncos.

The father of three daughters has been living alone in Brisbane while his family remained in Sydney.

Seibold is overseeing his first full pre-season in charge of the Broncos and is looking to make big improvements after replacing Wayne Bennett in December last year.

He recently went on a professional development trip to the United States to visit sports franchises.

Part of the tour included a behind-the-scenes look at the incredibly successful Cirque du Soleil.

Seibold got an intimate look at how one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands operates.

Is Darius Boyd telling Brodie Croft about tofu? Photo: Peter Wallis

MEAT-FREE BOYD

BRONCOS captain Darius Boyd has questioned why his diet is such a big talking point.

Boyd has been experimenting with a plant-based diet after watching hit Netflix documentary The Game Changers.

The former Maroons and Kangaroos star spruiked the diet to his teammates, with the likes of Tevita Pangai Jr and Patrick Carrigan admitting to testing it out.

After Boyd’s diet went public, the Broncos released a statement to clarify the club was still predominantly meat eaters.

Boyd is believed to be the only Broncos player to persist with being powered by the plant and he doesn’t understand why anyone else cares.

“I don’t think anyone cares about my diet,” he said. “I watched The Game Changers documentary, like any diet there are probably 10 out there that are beneficial in different ways and it’s whatever works for you.

“At the end of the day, you have to be happy with what you are putting into your body. If it feels good, then do it. There’s a lot of science around diets these days.

“It doesn’t really matter (if he’s vegan) does it?”

Boyd, 32, is doing all he can to ensure 2020 is a good year for him after a tough season this year.

Annesley and wife Erica missed the Gold Coast life. Photo: Jerad Williams

GOLD COAST HOME

EX-TITANS chief Graham Annesley was prepared to walk away from the NRL to return to the Gold Coast.

Annesley and wife Erica are relocating to the Glitter Strip after the former NSW sports minister spent the past year in Sydney as the NRL’s head of football.

Keen to escape the Sydney rat race, Annesley broached the topic with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, who was quick to rule out letting his right-hand man leave the game.

Greenberg wanted Annesley to remain in the role and will allow him to split his time between the Gold Coast and Sydney when not travelling to games.

While he remains close with Titans owners Darryl Kelly and Rebecca Frizelle, Annesley has no plans to return to the NRL club.

TITANS SHOT

FORMER Broncos winger Jonus Pearson is expected to make his first appearance at Gold Coast Titans training next week.

Pearson has inked a two-year with the Titans and will leave St George-Illawarra immediately.

He will be new Titans coach Justin Holbrook’s first signing since joining the club.

Holbrook has also held discussions with former Broncos and Titans back Josh Hoffman.

The stingray didn’t go down too well. Picture: Instagram

ACQUIRED TASTE

WHAT does stingray taste like? Indigenous All Stars regular Ryan James couldn’t tell us.

James attended an indigenous cultural camp over the weekend in northern NSW with some of the NRL’s biggest names, including Roosters gun Latrell Mitchell.

A photo circulating from the camp showed the players holding a flathead and stingray they had speared during a hunting activity.

Flathead is a prime eating fish, but stingray isn’t something you find too often.

“We didn’t get to cook that – they had that the next day,” James said. “They said it’s pretty rubbery. The flathead was a lot better.”

Tom Banton is still learning his surroundings. Photo: Annette Dew

BANTON BANTER

HEAT English import Tom Banton was a little confused about who he was playing Brisbane grade cricket for this weekend.

“I think they’re called William-Dillum or something?” Banton said when asked if he would be having a hit before the Big Bash begins on Tuesday.

When told it was Wynnum-Manly, Banton was quick to remember.

“Wynnum? That’s what I meant,” he said.

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“I’m playing for them on Sunday definitely and maybe Saturday afternoon.”

Most of the Heat’s players will be having a hit-out this weekend given the short preparation before the BBL.

The Heat squad only came together for the first time on Wednesday due to the demanding schedules of cricketers.