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'A cancer': Ugly fallout in Anthony Seibold coaching saga

Pictured here, Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold at an NRL press conference.
Anthony Seibold's exit from the Broncos is expected to be confirmed imminently. Pic: Getty

Anthony Seibold's failed tenure as Brisbane Broncos coach has been likened to "a cancer" that must be removed in order for the club to survive.

Reports this week suggested the Broncos have offered Seibold a $1 million termination agreement to walk away from the role immediately, following Brisbane's horror 2020 season.

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Whether it happens now or at the end of the season, Seibold's time at Red Hill appears to be up less than two years into a five-year deal.

Seibold has spent the past 14 days away from the team after leaving the club's quarantine bubble to deal with a personal family matter in Sydney.

On Monday, the 45-year-old underwent a COVID-19 test and if that comes back negative he'll be free to return to the club's inner sanctum from Tuesday onwards.

Broncos players expect Seibold back at training on Wednesday despite suggestions he could walk away from the club this week.

On Monday night, Broncos part owner Phil Murphy presented a brutal assessment about the club's coaching debacle to Channel Nine.

“It’s like having a cancer,” Brisbane’s biggest private shareholder Murphy said when asked about the Seibold coaching situation.

“If you don’t treat the cancer you die and I don’t want the Broncos to die.”

Under the tutelage of the former South Sydney coach, the Broncos have slipped to second-last on the NRL ladder and are at serious risk of collecting the wooden spoon for the first time in the club's history.

A run of 12 defeats from their past 13 matches has included frightful hidings by Parramatta, Wests Tigers and this Friday's opponents the Sydney Roosters.

Club legend and Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters, who was overlooked by the Broncos board in favour of Seibold, has been tipped as a replacement should the Broncos coach get the sack.

The six-time premiership winner says he hasn't been in contact with the club about the position but he'd be keen to help out if possible.

Seen here Anthony Seibold at Brisbane Broncos training.
Seibold's Broncos sit second-last on the NRL ladder after a disastrous season. Pic: Getty

"I'm hurting as much as any supporter is at the moment," Walters told the Big Sports Breakfast.

"If I can get back there and help them, I'd love to do that in some way."

Seibold still has three years to run on a deal reportedly worth around $3.2 million but The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said on Monday he's likely to accept the $1 million payout.

Fox Sports reporter James Hooper told Big League Wrap said an agreement between club and coach is probably the best result for all parties concerned.

“By rights Anthony Seibold... is entitled to $3.2 million. This is a smart play and the right play from the Broncos," Hooper said.

“Try to draw a line under it, move on and they can begin to repair the damage.

“It clearly didn’t work, the Anthony Seibold experiment.”

with AAP