Broncos prepare to capitalise on Bennett's farewell season

The only way Wayne Bennett won't get to enjoy a Johnathan Thurston-type farewell season with the Broncos next year is if the seven-time premiership winning coach has a change of heart and quits Brisbane to start his next job at South Sydney 12 months early.

The Broncos have repeatedly made it clear that Bennett won't be sacked to enable an immediate swap with Anthony Seibold and Rabbitohs officials insist they have no issue with Seibold remaining in charge at Redfern for 2019.

While anyone who follows the Telstra Premiership would know that there remains the possibility a coaching exchange could be negotiated for next year, that appears to be diminishing with each day.

The resumption of training for the full squads of each club is set for next Monday and if a swap hasn't been negotiated by then it is unlikely to happen until the end of the 2019 season. 

Seibold has organised a pre-season training camp for Souths players at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and while that will be cancelled if Bennett takes over it is still set to go ahead at this stage.

Those close to the situation had thought it was almost certain Bennett would start at Souths next week but now concede it is no more than a 50 per cent chance of happening.

Bennett's antics at Broncos HQ last Thursday, in which he spent several hours in his office before evading the media by sneaking out a back door and hiding in the backseat of a car driven by long-serving Brisbane trainer Tony Spencer, have prompted suggestions he was expecting to be sacked.

He later described his actions as "entertainment" in text messages sent to reporters, giving the impression it may have been his final act as Broncos coach.

However, a brief meeting with Brisbane chairman Karl Morris on Saturday put paid to that prospect and the Broncos issued a statement in which it was noted that that has been a view they have consistently stated since the decision was made that 2019 would be Bennett's last season at the club.

Bennett and the Broncos hierarchy may no longer see eye-to-eye but besides his re-enactment of Escape from Alcatraz last Thursday it has been business as usual at Red Hill.

CEO Paul White was in Papua New Guinea meeting with Oil Search about their partnership with Brisbane's NRL Women's team, while other officials were making a presentation to sponsors.

Broncos officials even believe there will be commercial benefits from Bennett remaining at the club he has taken to six premierships as each match will be a farewell for the game's longest serving and most successful coach similar to that enjoyed by Thurston in his final playing season this year for North Queensland.

More than 30,000 fans attended a Thursday night match at Suncorp Stadium against Souths at the height of Bennett's feud with Brisbane's management after he and White held rival barbecues for players, so the coaching saga isn't expected to impact on crowds or sponsors.

From his point of view, Bennett insists he has never considered walking away and wants to coach Brisbane next season after telling players and coaching staff he would fulfill his contract with the club.

He has a good relationship with the Broncos playing group and they are keen to continue playing under him.

Any fear that Bennett could poach Brisbane players appears to be unfounded as almost all of the squad are signed beyond next season and he is set to inherit a strong roster at Souths in 2020, with hooker Damien Cook and the Burgess twins, George and Tom, expected to re-sign.

Rabbitohs players are also happy to continue playing under Seibold, who took them to within one win of the grand final in his first season as an NRL head coach.

Broncos officials even believe there will be commercial benefits from Bennett remaining at the club

Souths players were disappointed that Seibold made the decision to leave for Brisbane in 2020 but only because they regard him highly and enjoyed playing under him this year.

Seibold's position is no different to Sam Burgess playing out the 2014 season after signing with English rugby union club Bath or Angus Crichton remaining at Redfern this year after announcing 12 months ago that he was joining Sydney Roosters next season.

Souths officials were also disappointed by Seibold's decision after being taken by surprise when he turned down the offer of a contract extension to pursue the Broncos job but are confident they can continue to work with him.

"We are comfortable about being able to work together and the players have no problem whatsoever," Rabbitohs GM of football Shane Richardson said. "I've spoken to the senior players about a range of things and never once have they ever mentioned to me any problems with Anthony.

"From the players' point of view, they just want to get on with the job - one way or another - and from the club's point of view we'd have no problem with Anthony as coach next season if that is how it turns out."