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Broncos shareholder Phil Murphy warns club to make coach swap now or risk 2019 wooden spoon
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
The Broncos’ largest private shareholder Phil Murphy has called for Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold to complete a straight swap immediately or risk Brisbane finishing with the wooden spoon.
Breaking his silence on the most turbulent coaching saga in Brisbane’s 30-year history, Broncos part-owner Murphy urged hierarchy to release Bennett urgently for the sake of the club’s 2019 season.
A multi-millionaire property tycoon, Murphy understands better than most the implications of the messy Bennett-Seibold affair on the respective finances of the Broncos and Rabbitohs.
Broncos part-owner Phil Murphy wants an end to the coaching saga.
But Murphy, who owns 22 per cent of the Broncos, also fears Brisbane could be in danger of claiming the first wooden spoon in their history if Seibold isn’t at the helm at Red Hill in the coming weeks.
“The best thing Brisbane can do is to make a swift decision, finalise a payout for Wayne Bennett and let everybody get on with life,” said Murphy, who outlaid an estimated $4.6 million for his stake in the Broncos.
“I just don’t understand why it has gone on so long. It started before the finals last season and it’s still going on.
“If anyone in business gives 12 months notice, the best thing for everybody is to make a departure happen quickly.
“I’ve seen this happen in my own business where people give notice and hang on for a few months and it becomes like a disease in the place.
“The Broncos’ players and their families can’t be relaxed if there is constant uncertainty over their coach.
“The players have to have 100 per cent focus on the year ahead.
“If they don’t, I can tell you that the Broncos and South Sydney will be in the battle for the wooden spoon next season if the status quo remains.
“I don’t say that to be derogatory to the clubs. But when people aren’t 100 per cent focused in a football club, you can’t win a premiership.”
Murphy believes Brisbane’s reputation has taken a hit over Bennett’s fight to remain at Red Hill and he urged the super coach to consider a financial compromise to bring stability to the Broncos.
“It’s not good for Souths and the Broncos unless there is an immediate resolution,” he said.
“The Broncos have been recognised as the No.1 sporting brand in this country for a long time and they have been very successful, but it’s no good at all for any sporting organisation to be in this mess.
“The Broncos are not just a sporting club, they are a business.
“I’m a property developer. If I go into a council meeting and say this is what I want and council says we can’t give you that, but we can do this, at least I can come to a resolution and I can get on with business.
“I have no issue with Anthony Seibold’s appointment. It seems to be a very good move and I think it’s the best thing for both parties to get it sorted immediately. Seibold can be good for the club.
“Wayne is a great coach, but as strong as he is mentally, he will find it almost impossible to be 100 per cent focused next season on the job at hand.
“If two people are at loggerheads, you need to find some common ground. As long as Wayne stands his ground, it won’t get resolved.”
