Seibold to "do it my way" as Broncos coach

New Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold says Wayne Bennett's legacy is "second to none" but has backed himself to leave his own mark on the Broncos.

Anthony Seibold

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold and captain Darius Boyd begin a new ear at the Broncos. (AAP)

In the past, it has been rugby league's poisoned chalice.

But Anthony Seibold has backed himself to step into the big shoes left by Wayne Bennett at Brisbane, saying 12 months as South Sydney coach has steeled him for the daunting challenge ahead.

Seibold vowed to "do it my way" after he was finally unveiled as Brisbane coach on Monday, capping a month-long saga that came to a head when the Broncos sensationally sacked Bennett via voice message on Sunday.

Replacing seven-time premiership winner Bennett at Brisbane is league's equivalent of batting after Bradman - just ask Ivan Henjak and Anthony Griffin.

Henjak had his two-year tenure terminated three weeks before the 2011 season start after Brisbane missed the finals for the first time in 19 years the previous season.

His replacement Anthony Griffin also struggled with Bennett comparisons, his four season stint including Brisbane's worst ever season in 2013 (10 wins, 13 losses) before he was replaced by the returning foundation coach in 2015.

Seibold - a former Broncos reserve grade player - admitted 25-year Brisbane coach Bennett was a hard act to follow.

But he believes the intense scrutiny he dealt with as Rabbitohs coach in 2018 has prepared him for the Broncos spotlight.

"Am I suited to the role? We will find out," Seibold said.

"Wayne's legacy as a head coach is probably second to none in a lot of ways but it's not about comparisons with Wayne - I will do things my way.

"You have to understand the club I have been working with the last 12 months as head coach has Russell Crowe as an owner and has a long history.

"I am used to having that scrutiny. I will be judged on performances down the track."

Rather than being anxious, Seibold said he was more relieved to be finally in Broncos colours after a "rollercoaster" month enduring the on-again, off-again coaching swap saga.

"I want to draw a line in the sand. It's time for us to move forward," he said.

"The last couple of months have been a bit of a roller coaster for myself, the Broncos and South Sydney but it has all been done now.

"There has been a lot of negativity around what has gone on the last couple of months.

"It's time to put steps in place to have a positive 2019."

Bennett's sacking came two days after the veteran coach sensationally surprised Brisbane by holding a snap press conference on Friday, saying he would remain in charge in 2019, despite both clubs thrashing out a deal to swap coaches.

Seibold revealed the emotional toll the drama had taken on his family on Sunday, telling News Corp Australia that he "felt like a punching bag".

But on Monday he refused to take aim at Bennett.

"There is a sense of relief. It's been quite challenging," Seibold said.

Seibold addressed staff and players after his arrival on Monday before holding an afternoon training run.

He confirmed assistant coach Peter Gentle and high performance boss Paul Devlin would follow him from Souths to the Broncos.


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Source: AAP


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