Souths can’t forget about 2019

Rugby league is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

We're now in what is supposed to be the off-season but the greatest game of all continues to dominate the headlines due to a coaching carousel, the likes I've not seen before.

With all due respect to the other clubs involved in the chaos, the biggest shift is very obviously that of Wayne Bennett to the Bunnies.

I was shocked when current Dally M coach of the year Anthony Seibold was not hurriedly re-signed by South Sydney. I was even more shocked by the fact Seibold did not push the issue after Souths took a huge punt on the rookie coach.

Souths, despite having Seibold signed for 2018, took the somewhat unusual step of announcing Bennett as coach for 2020 and 2021.

It doesn't take a huge leap to arrive at the fact Seibold had given notice that he would not re-sign, otherwise I believe Souths would not have even bothered sourcing alternate options.

It is expected that Seibold will sign for Brisbane, possibly before this is even published.

So we have a straight swap for 2020 and beyond. Not the strangest movement of all time, but what does complicate matters is the fact that Bennett himself as said he has no interest in swapping for 2019.

It would seem almost too obvious and easy to swap the coaches the second Seibold is announced as new Broncos coach. Pre-season kicks off soon. The timing is perfect.

Except Bennett seemingly won't budge.

Souths were very careful to announce Bennett having signed for 2020 and 2021, with no official mention of 2019.

The obvious decision is for Souths to push ahead with their current coach, a rookie who had a brilliant first year at the helm of the famous club, and start fresh in 2020.

Seibold, for all his intent, will have one eye on Red Hill all season. He'll be consulted for recruitment decisions and may even be involved in negotiations.

Bennett will likely do the same for Souths but the big difference here is about 30 years of coaching experience.

Bennett has been there, done that when it comes to everything rugby league. He has spent a season at Brisbane while planning ahead for a Sydney-based team.

Seibold is in his second season in the top position. He is yet to oversee a crisis or any real negativity. There were a few losses in a row in late 2018 but apart from that it was all smooth sailing.

So we sit here. South Sydney have a coach for 2019 knowing he will move on.

There's every chance Souths may decide Seibold's position is untenable and appoint a temporary coach. Possibly a big name, maybe an assistant, who knows?

BUT whatever decision they make, they have to make it quick.

Souths are flying after a brilliant 2018 season and enter 2019 as genuine title contenders. They can't have pre-season start without a plan in place and a vision for the future.

Whether that be Seibold for 12 months, or a pinch hitting coach, like say Brad Fittler or David Furner, or one of Seibold's assistants, the decision needs to be made.

Souths, after working so hard to consign their horror 2017 season into nothing more than history, can't afford to let that all count for naught.

This is a very professional organisation here but even the best of sides can slip if not 100% on the ball at all times.

This Bunnies outfit will enter 2019 with genuine title hopes but it's hard not to look slightly ahead.

It's hard not to look slightly ahead to the arrival of the game's most successful coach. It's tough not to look ahead to the raft of big name signings that will undoubtedly accompany Bennett's arrival.

Tevita Pangai Junior is already linked with the club. Corey Oates too.

Darius Boyd will absolutely be linked, although surely at his age and given the Souths roster, surely this will be the big break out between Boyd and Bennett!?

There are plenty of questions and there will be a mountain of distractions. That's not easy for players, especially those in the early years of their career.

There's no way to twist the signing of Bennett into something negative but with him insisting he will not entertain the idea of an early switch, the Bunnies need to work out their 2019 season within the next week or so.

Surely, after all that hard work, they can't waste a genuine title opportunity on a gap year?