Anthony Seibold has revealed negotiations have begun with South Sydney on a contract extension despite being just 15 games into his rookie season as head coach.
The Rabbitohs cemented their status as the hottest team in the league, moving to the top of the table with a 42-24 romp over Parramatta on Thursday.
It was also their seventh win in a row - the first time the club has achieved the feat since 1994 - and comes as the club moves quickly to tie Siebold down on a long-term deal.
The former Queensland Cup player has been linked with Brisbane as a possible back-up plan in 2019 should coaching target Craig Bellamy re-sign with Melbourne beyond this season.
Seibold, who served under Bellamy for three years, took over from Michael Maguire on a two-year deal after the Rabbitohs missed the finals last season.
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"I can understand the speculation. I'm from Queensland, but I'm in my first year. We're 15 games now, I love the Bunnies," Seibold said.
"I've got another year on my contract here and the club's started negotiations to extend my contract. For me, that's my priority and my focus is on my job here now. That's all I've got to say on it."
With the club set to lose up to 10 players to next week's representative round - including four to State of Origin - Seibold has looked for alternative methods to freshen up the remainder of his squad.
The Rabbitohs will train with a similarly depleted NSW Waratahs roster on Wednesday before going on a four-day break ahead of their round-16 clash against North Queensland.
It is not the first time Seibold has opted to train with clubs from other codes, having also played hybrid games with AFL side Port Adelaide early last summer.
"The Waratahs have got a number of Wallabies players away, so they come back from Japan on Monday. I spoke to (coach) Daryl Gibson. I said, 'Would you be keen to bring the guys in?" Seibold said.
"We're going to be missing quite a few guys, so the group there needs to be stimulated and I think the Waratahs coming in and doing some games against us will be a good simulation next week."
