The Broncos have reportedly moved on to another coaching candidate following Craig Bellamy's decision to stay in Melbourne.
Despite the fact that current coach Wayne Bennett is contracted at Red Hill until the end of the 2019 season, there has been constant speculation that he may be moved on before the end of his term if the club can find an appropriate replacement.
While that now seems unlikely considering the time of year and coaches currently available, Channel Nine journalist Neill Breen has revealed that the Broncos have set their sights on current South Sydney coach, Anthony Siebold, for the 2020 season.
Seibold is contracted at Souths until the end of next year, but has an attachment to the Broncos that Brisbane are reportedly looking to target.
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Seibold is in his rookie season as head coach after spending time under Bellamy at the Storm, and has thoroughly impressed in his first season at the helm.
The Bunnies currently sit equal first on the ladder and went on a nine-game winning streak before the Wests Tigers bested them in John Sutton's 300th game for the club.
Breen believes all the stars are aligning for Seibold to head up north.
“Wayne's conceded to people that he won't be there in 2020, and the Broncos have got their sights on Anthony Seibold,” Neil Breen told 100% Footy.
“Seibold has connections with them, he played with them as a young man.
“He’s from Brisbane, he’s from Rockhampton originally, Paul White’s, the CEO, from Rockhampton, there’s that connection there.
"Definitely there won't be an extension (for Bennett) at the Broncos and the Wayne Bennett era will be over.
“Seibold’s off contract at the end of 2019 at the Rabbitohs, so the symmetry’s there.
“Seibold’s been asked about signing an extension at the Rabbitohs and he’s quite smartly been saying there will be no talks about anything until this season’s done.
“He’s the guy holding all the cards.”
Kevvie Walters was assistant coach at Red Hill under Bennett, but earlier this year chose to focus on his duties as Maroons head coach and stepped down from clubland.
There was chatter that Kevvie would eventually take over from Bennett, but due to Siebold's contract situation, that ship appears to have sailed.
“The Broncos is a massive club, they all are, but some are bigger than others and the Broncos feel that themselves and that they need a big person to take it over,” Breen said.
“Seibold’s only in his first year, he’s having a magnificent run, it would be a huge step but I think it absolutely spells the end for Kevvie Walters. He won’t be getting that job.”
This isn't the first time the Seibold to the Broncos rumours have been reported, with the coach directly responding to the chatter previously.
“I can understand the speculation, I’m from Queensland,” Seibold told reporters.
“But I’m in my first year, I’ve only coached 15 games or whatever it is. I love the Bunnies.
“I’ve got another year on my contract and the club’s started negotiations to extend by 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.”
The Broncos have had a disappointing season compared to their lofty standards. It began with Jack Bird's form issues and subsequent injury dilemmas, then Ben Hunt's impressive form for the St George-Illawarra Dragons.
Brisbane sit seventh on the NRL ladder with 11 victories from their 18 matches in 2018, and Gus Gould thinks enough damage has been done that their coach will be forced out before his contract is up.
"I still don't think Wayne Bennett will be at the Broncos next year," Gould said.
