McHunt
International Rep
Contributor
- Aug 25, 2018
- 17,936
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Supercoach Wayne Bennett responds to the smear he left a steaming turd behind at Red Hill, in particular this comment from Karl Morris:
“When Anthony arrived in 2018, he brought it up as an issue that it’s going to be a tough two or three years because of the nature of our roster and the youth in the club.”
Bennett, whose 64% win record towers over Seibold's 40%, is rightfully hopping mad:
“It was my intention to remain silent, but if the Brisbane chairman or any other person at the Broncos wants to make false assertions, I will set the record straight. Assertions have been made as to the quality of the roster and the state I left the club in. I was prepared to coach there in 2019 and 2020 with the roster that we had at the time and I don’t think anybody in the game didn’t think we could be a top-four side. I’m correcting the record here. The chairman must be oblivious to the running of the club."
Just admit it.
“If the roster was so bad, why would Anthony Seibold take the job? Seibold took South Sydney to a preliminary final in 2018 (before joining the Broncos). I have no doubt he thought he could win a premiership with this Broncos roster. No coach, particularly a young one, would take a job with an inferior roster to the one he is leaving. You just don’t do that."
“I did not coach or have a rundown football team at the Broncos. Let’s look at their current roster."
Overlooking Kodi Nikorima (NZ), Josh McGuire (Australia/Samoa), Matt Gillett (Australia), James Segeyaro (PNG), James Roberts (NSW), Issac Luke (NZ), Ben Te'o (QLD, England), Macca (QLD) and Jake Turpin (future QLD), the old man starts reeling names off the top of his head:
“Jamayne Isaako is a New Zealand Test player. Corey Oates is a Queensland player. Xavier Coates is a PNG Test player. Darius Boyd is a former Origin and Test player. Anthony Milford is an Origin player. Kotoni Staggs is a future NSW Origin player. Matt Lodge is a good NRL prop. David Fifita and Joe Ofahengaue are Queensland Origin players. Payne Haas made his debut for NSW last year. Jordan Kahu and Alex Glenn have played Test football for New Zealand and been in a grand final. Tevita Pangai Jr and Tesi Niu have played Test football for Tonga. Seibold has 12 players with Origin or Test experience."
That he can remember.
“What are we talking here? We are being lost in the smoke-and-mirrors. There is a lot of talent there under Seibold but no-one is playing to their talent. The recruiting in my time there was never handled solely by me. We had a recruitment-and-retention committee and it included four people - Darren Lockyer (board member), Peter Nolan (recruitment chief), Paul White (CEO) and myself. It was unanimous decision that Darius would stay on. I never did the Darius contract extension. I didn’t speak to Darius’ manager George Mimis through the whole process. Paul White handled Darius’ deal. There was no player that was signed or discussed that did not involve the committee all being consulted."
Inadmissible as evidence.
“I never recruited a single player myself without seeking the approval of the committee. I never negotiated a single contract with a player, that was left to Paul White and Peter Nolan. On most occasions, I was not even aware of the exact contract details for a player. I was aware of a general figure but in negotiations that figure can change once the deal is finally signed. I can’t recall any moment where we didn’t have unanimous agreement on a player.”
So there you have it: they're all to blame.
McHunt
“When Anthony arrived in 2018, he brought it up as an issue that it’s going to be a tough two or three years because of the nature of our roster and the youth in the club.”
Bennett, whose 64% win record towers over Seibold's 40%, is rightfully hopping mad:
“It was my intention to remain silent, but if the Brisbane chairman or any other person at the Broncos wants to make false assertions, I will set the record straight. Assertions have been made as to the quality of the roster and the state I left the club in. I was prepared to coach there in 2019 and 2020 with the roster that we had at the time and I don’t think anybody in the game didn’t think we could be a top-four side. I’m correcting the record here. The chairman must be oblivious to the running of the club."
Just admit it.
“If the roster was so bad, why would Anthony Seibold take the job? Seibold took South Sydney to a preliminary final in 2018 (before joining the Broncos). I have no doubt he thought he could win a premiership with this Broncos roster. No coach, particularly a young one, would take a job with an inferior roster to the one he is leaving. You just don’t do that."
“I did not coach or have a rundown football team at the Broncos. Let’s look at their current roster."
Overlooking Kodi Nikorima (NZ), Josh McGuire (Australia/Samoa), Matt Gillett (Australia), James Segeyaro (PNG), James Roberts (NSW), Issac Luke (NZ), Ben Te'o (QLD, England), Macca (QLD) and Jake Turpin (future QLD), the old man starts reeling names off the top of his head:
“Jamayne Isaako is a New Zealand Test player. Corey Oates is a Queensland player. Xavier Coates is a PNG Test player. Darius Boyd is a former Origin and Test player. Anthony Milford is an Origin player. Kotoni Staggs is a future NSW Origin player. Matt Lodge is a good NRL prop. David Fifita and Joe Ofahengaue are Queensland Origin players. Payne Haas made his debut for NSW last year. Jordan Kahu and Alex Glenn have played Test football for New Zealand and been in a grand final. Tevita Pangai Jr and Tesi Niu have played Test football for Tonga. Seibold has 12 players with Origin or Test experience."
That he can remember.
“What are we talking here? We are being lost in the smoke-and-mirrors. There is a lot of talent there under Seibold but no-one is playing to their talent. The recruiting in my time there was never handled solely by me. We had a recruitment-and-retention committee and it included four people - Darren Lockyer (board member), Peter Nolan (recruitment chief), Paul White (CEO) and myself. It was unanimous decision that Darius would stay on. I never did the Darius contract extension. I didn’t speak to Darius’ manager George Mimis through the whole process. Paul White handled Darius’ deal. There was no player that was signed or discussed that did not involve the committee all being consulted."
Inadmissible as evidence.
“I never recruited a single player myself without seeking the approval of the committee. I never negotiated a single contract with a player, that was left to Paul White and Peter Nolan. On most occasions, I was not even aware of the exact contract details for a player. I was aware of a general figure but in negotiations that figure can change once the deal is finally signed. I can’t recall any moment where we didn’t have unanimous agreement on a player.”
So there you have it: they're all to blame.
McHunt
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