Before Anthony Seibold jumps into the big chair at Brisbane, we’ve got some friendly advice for him

STEPPING into a new job can be terrifying and Anthony Seibold faces a baptism of fire at the Broncos. With that in mind, we’ve got some friendly advice for the incoming Brisbane coach.

Anthony Seibold is set to take over the head coach job at the Brisbane Broncos.

IT is now a matter of when, not if, Anthony Seibold takes the reins at the Brisbane Broncos after yesterday’s board meeting rubber stamped his appointment.

And like any person starting a new job, some friendly advice on navigating the tricky first few days and weeks never goes astray.

So Seibs, (for what it’s worth) here’s some tips for survival at Red Hill whenever you do put your feet under the desk.

Kevin Walters crowd surfs at the Broncos Leagues Club after the 2000 grand final.

1. HE AIN’T KEVVIE, HE’S THEIR BROTHER

IGNORE the grumblings from some past Broncos players. They are just dirty Kevvie Walters didn’t get the job. The past player mafia is strong up here with premiership rings all over the place. And everyone loves Kevvie. How can you not? I’m sure you love him too. But the good old boys are talking with their hearts, not their heads. Brisbane needed to go outside “the family” for their new coach. Keeping it in-house wasn’t an option. They’ll get over it.

When the Broncos are at their best they can score from just about anywhere on the field.

2. LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU

BRING the same attacking gameplan from Rabbitohs. The Bunnies were great to watch in 2018 because they let the ball sing. When the Broncos have been at their best, they have been an attacking juggernaut. They could – and would – score tries from anywhere on the field. Brisbane get the best crowds in the NRL by a country mile, give them something to get excited about.

Anthony Seibold needs quit his reign at the Rabbioths and come to the Broncos ASAP.

3. FLICK THE SWITCH NOW

COME early. Do the swap. Nothing good can come from you staying at the Rabbitohs and Bennett remaining at the Broncos next year when you will trade places the following season. It would be farcical if no direct swap is done in the coming weeks. Then again, it is rugby league. It does farce better than anyone.

Kodi Nikorima is a fine player, but he’s not going to win a premiership from halfback.

4. CRACKING THE KODI

GET a marquee halfback. ASAP. Kodi Nikorima is a useful enough half but his best spot is coming off the bench as an impact player. You don’t win comps with utilities in the No.7 jersey. There’s some good kids waiting in the ranks but if Brisbane want to get serious about filling that vacant trophy stand at their new facility, they need a star playmaker to steer around that giant pack and give the backline some room to move.

Seibold needs to bring his own people over rather than rely on the Broncos old guard.

5. LEAN, MEAN AND CLEAN

CLEANOUT the backroom boys. When Bennett left the first time, a lot of his long-serving support staff didn’t so it wasn’t a clean cutting of the cord. Brisbane need to start afresh. Bring your own people across the board, people you know and trust who will energise the club with new voices and new ideas.

Fair or not, Wayne Bennett hasn’t been overly friendly to the media.

6. SPEAK TO THE FANS

YOU don’t have to be super-duper nice to the throng of media that cover the Broncos on a daily basis. But a bit of respect would be a refreshing change from you-know-who. When coaches talk to the media, they are talking to their club’s fans. And Brisbane have a lot of fans.

Jack Bird needs a position to stick to once he’s fit and ready to play.

7. BIRD IS THE WORD

GIVE Jack Bird a position and leave him there. The ex-Shark came to Brisbane on mega-bucks but injuries, indifferent form and getting moved around did him no favours.

Anthony Griffin learned pretty quickly that there’s no time to settle in at the Broncos.

8. THE HONEYMOON IS OVER, BABY

PREPARE for a honeymoon period of precisely … zero seconds. Ivan Henjak and Anthony Griffin learned that you either perform or perish in the Red Hill hotseat. They had the shadow of a possible Bennett return hanging over their heads – which you don’t. Thankfully. You will still be given no slack. You have been given the keys to a Ferrari, hit top gear quickly.

Paul White is the boss at the Broncos. Seibold can’t let himself forget that.

9. KNOW WHO THE CHIEF IS

LET the CEO be the CEO. A lot has been made of how Bennett and Paul White were great mates. That changed when White did something that Uncle Wayne didn’t like. Sure, a succession plan was in the best interests of the club, but Wayne didn’t like it and he fell out with White. Just like he fell out with former long-time mate and former CEO Bruno Cullen. You either sing from the same songsheet as Wayne or you are out of the choir – mates or not. The Rockhampton connection is strong between you and White. You get the feeling you will stay in your lane and let the best CEO in the NRL do his job. Work with each other, not against each other. Brisbane needs unity and consistency from the top.

● BADEL’S BUNKER: Why Kevvie Walters needs to go after Titans job

● BENNY BOILER: Bunnies tell Bennett they’re the boss of him