Anthony Seibold to keep faith in Broncos Brodie Croft and Darius Boyd
Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold is refusing to wield the axe as he attempts to snap a six-game losing streak.
Brisbane halfback Brodie Croft told Broncos officials on Monday that he will be ready to go against Canterbury and coach Anthony Seibold appears set to retain faith in his No 7 and veteran Darius Boyd as he resists the urge to cut a swath through his embattled side.
Amid cries for change, Seibold is expected to stay the course with the core of players who have been at the heart of the club’s recent six-game losing streak.
Seibold is nothing if not loyal. At some point, his players need to start repaying that loyalty or it may cost him his job.
The expectation was that Croft and Boyd could be among the changes this week in response to a sixth successive defeat last weekend, the latest at the hands of the Warriors.
That loss heralded a fresh round of speculation over the Broncos’ ills and the future of their coach, who is yet to finish the second season of a five-year deal.
In Croft’s case, there was a school of thought that he should be taken out of the firing line for his own wellbeing given the emotional scenes on the NSW Central Coast, where a distraught Croft struggled to contain his emotions at full-time.
However, it is believed Croft met Seibold on Monday and stressed that he was committed to the cause and wanted to help the club through one of the darkest periods in their history.
Young half Thomas Dearden may have to wait for his chance. Boyd will get another opportunity as well, meaning Jamayne Isaako is likely to be the player to drop out of the starting side to make way for Staggs’ return.
Herbie Farnworth, one player to emerge from recent weeks with his reputation enhanced, is likely to shift onto the wing.
Isaako could drop back to the bench, a move that would spell doom for Corey Oates. Or he could lose his place in the 17 and Oates could be retained, potentially in the back row.
Regardless, both players look to be fighting for their futures at Red Hill as the club attempts to find a way out of their hole.
Seibold has been give carte blanche to make any changes he feels necessary to turn around the Broncos, seemingly giving him the green light to wield the axe in response to a disappointing streak that culminated in defeat against the Warriors.
He has opted for a different tack. Rather than ripping and tearing through his line-up, he is ready to make changes brought on by the return of players from injury.
Staggs is likely to take part in skills as part of his return and while he is no certainty to play, he only has to get through the week to command a place in the starting side.
His return would be a massive boost for the club given his standing as one of the best centres in the game. At his best, he is in the frame to play State of Origin for NSW.
Prop Matt Lodge will spend at last another week on the sidelines with a knee injury, his absence a blow given the Bulldogs boast a steady forward pack that will strengthened this weekend by English forward Luke Thompson.
Thompson, having spent two weeks in quarantine and then another week acclimatising to his new country, becomes available at the ideal time following a likely season-ending injury to Adam Elliott.
Elliott dislocated his shoulder against South Sydney on Sunday night and underwent scans on Monday morning. He may have played his last game for the Bulldogs given he is off contract at the end of the season and rejected the club’s initial offer.
His immediate priority will be his health as he attempts to regain full fitness. Thompson, meanwhile, gets the chance to make his debut in a crucial game for the club that could lift them off the bottom of the ladder.
A loss to the battling Bulldogs would be a sledgehammer blow to the Broncos and Seibold, leaving Brisbane locked in a dogfight to avoid the first wooden spoon in their history.
Morale is already at an all-time low but the Bulldogs need the win as much as the Broncos given the pressure on both coaches heading into the game.
More Coverage
Penrith forced to abandon prestigious World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge will remain the only trophy unclaimed by the all-conquering Panthers, with Penrith’s management telling the NRL there’s ‘no way in the world’ the club can play the prestigious annual match.
Panthers take their premiership party onto the water
Penrith’s premiership players took a break from their celebrations with a quiet cruise and the launch of an exclusive commemorative T-shirt but the party is about to kick off again. See the details here.