NewsBite

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold says he is building for the future following multimillion-dollar re-signings

Tevita Pangai Jr has locked in his future with the Brisbane Broncos and has revealed why he wanted to stay.

Tevita Pangai Junior (centre) is seen during Brisbane Broncos training at Clive Berghofer Field in Brisbane, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Broncos are playing the Knights in their round 15 NRL clash in Newcastle on Saturday. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING
Tevita Pangai Junior (centre) is seen during Brisbane Broncos training at Clive Berghofer Field in Brisbane, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Broncos are playing the Knights in their round 15 NRL clash in Newcastle on Saturday. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold says the club is building for the future after confirming the signings of workhorses Tevita Pangai Jr and Matt Lodge on mammoth three-year deals.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, the club confirmed the re-signing of Pangai Jr until the end of the 2022 season on a contract worth around $600,000 annually.

It comes after fellow young guns Matt Lodge, Patrick Carrigan, Joe Ofahengaue, Jamayne Isaako, Payne Haas and Cory Paix have each signed a long-term deal with the club this year.

Tevita Pangai Junior at Brisbane Broncos training earlier this year. Photo: Darren England/ AAP
Tevita Pangai Junior at Brisbane Broncos training earlier this year. Photo: Darren England/ AAP

Seibold said Pangai Jr was an important piece in Red Hill’s multimillion-dollar retention puzzle.

“It’s been a long process but one that’s been worth the wait in a lot of ways,” Seibold said.

“He’s really important. It wasn’t just off the back of that one game (against the Cowboys in round two). Tevita has so much potential.

“With Payne Haas, who’s contracted until 2024, Pat Carrigan and Joe Ofahengaue both signing for three-year deals earlier this year, it solidifies our forward pack.

“They’ve all committed long-term, they haven’t just dipped the toe in.

“I’m really proud that we could keep those guys. They see where we’re trying to take the group.”

Brisbane were able to stave off a massive $1 million-a-season bid from the Warriors to retain Lodge, who has also signed a three-year contract worth around $700,000.

Pangai Jr revealed he had never planned on leaving the club and said Seibold was a big reason in opting to stay with the Broncos.

Tevita Pangai Junior was lauded for his performance against the Cowboys in Round 2. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled
Tevita Pangai Junior was lauded for his performance against the Cowboys in Round 2. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“It’s good to have my future sorted,” Pangai Jr said.

“I wasn’t planning on leaving. I love the club and they’ve welcomed me with open arms and it’s good to call this place home for the next three years.

“I’m a big fan of Siebs (Seibold) and how he coaches. It’s a big reason why I’m staying.”

Seibold said the focus now was on trying to claw back inside the top eight at the end of this season.

“Ultimately, we haven’t given up on this year in any shape or form,” he said.

“We’re one win out of the top eight with nine games to go. We’ve got six home games within those nine games.

“We’ll get what we deserve. Whether we’re good enough or not, we’ll see over the next nine weeks.”

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/broncos-coach-anthony-seibold-says-he-is-building-for-the-future-following-multimilliondollar-resignings/news-story/b9fd7e62cc5f4236a9d04f28a377860a