Broncos assistant coach Ben Cross one of 20 Brisbane staffers to leave the club

Brisbane assistant coach Ben Cross and Jharal Yow Yeh are two of the 20 Broncos staffers who will leave the club as they scramble to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cross accepted a redundancy. AAP Image/Josh Woning.

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Brisbane have undertaken major cost-cutting with coach Anthony Seibold’s assistant Ben Cross and ex-Queensland Origin star Jharal Yow Yeh among 20 Broncos staff who are casualties of the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis has forced the Broncos to trim their $22 million payroll with the fallout extending to Seibold’s football department, with his assistant Cross agreeing to a voluntary redundancy.

Yow Yeh, who worked in Brisbane’s media department after a shocking ankle injury forced his NRL retirement in 2012, has also been released.

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Cross accepted a redundancy. AAP Image/Josh Woning.

The 41-year-old Cross arrived at the Broncos in December 2018 with Seibold as part of the new regime at Red Hill following the sacking of super coach Wayne Bennett.

Brisbane’s forwards coach, Cross was respected by the Broncos’ posse of young guns Payne Haas, David Fifita and Pat Carrigan because of his playing record, having played 95 first-grade games and two State of Origin games for NSW in 2008.

But the Broncos have been left with little choice but to sever ties with a number of valued football and office staff as the NRL’s richest club fights for survival in the wake of the coronavirus ordeal.

Aside from Cross’ departure, Brisbane’s football executive, including Seibold, will take a 20 per cent pay cut with the Broncos board to accept a 50 per cent hit.

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White said it was a sad day as valued and hard-working staff, including the highly popular Yow Yeh, were farewelled from the club.

Former Bronco Jharal Yow Yeh has also been farewelled by the club. Picture: Annette Dew

“We are living in unprecedented times – it’s really tough for our industry and we are in a fight for our survival, like so many other businesses across Australia,” White said.

“We have had to take some strong action to ensure that our club survives and that involves some pain for some wonderful people at our organisation.

“These measures are not something that we would have envisaged even a few weeks ago but such is the scope of the threat to our industry, that we find ourselves with no alternative – and that is heartbreaking for us and for the people we farewell.

Even the mighty Broncos are not immune to the financial pinch. Digital image by Dave Acree/NRL Photos.

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“To those leaving the Broncos, we thank them for all their valued service and effort, wish them all the best in the future, and offer them all the support they need in these difficult times.”

It is understood Seibold’s fellow assistant Peter Gentle will remain on deck but the Broncos coach said the departure of Cross was a difficult decision.

“I know Ben won’t be here when we come back which is a real shame,” Seibold said.

“He is a terrific young coach and a good person and he has a young family.

“There’s a whole heap of bigger issues in society than when the rugby league competition resumes.

“There’s people being stood down and wage and salary cuts for key staff members everywhere.”