In the spotlight...Queensland Assistant Coach Anthony Seibold addresses the media in Sydney today ahead of Game 1 tonight. Photo: QRL.
Anthony Seibold says working with the Queensland Origin team will make him a better coach at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Seibold tonight makes his Origin debut at ANZ Stadium in the role as an Assistant Coach to Queensland Head Coach Kevin Walters in Game 1 of the 2016 series.
For the boy from Rockhampton, it is a tremendous honour. Seibold is in his first season as an Assistant Coach at the Sea Eagles under Head Coach Trent Barrett.
A former NRL and English Super League player, Seibold spent the past three seasons at the Melbourne Storm as the 2013 Holden Cup Head Coach, and in more recent seasons, as an assistant to Craig Bellamy.
He was Head Coach of the Mackay Cutters in the Intrust Super Qld Cup in 2011-12 and has also worked in the English Super League as an Assistant Coach.
“I am really proud to be given an opportunity at State of Origin level. It is the pinnacle of the game here in Australia and to be involved in the capacity as an Assistant Coach, is one that is really humbling,’’ Seibold said.
“It has been a really enjoyable week. I’ve been welcomed by the staff and the playing group. It has been a terrific experience working with some players that I haven’t had the opportunity to work with before, particularly guys like Jonathan Thurston and Greg Inglis.
“It has been really great to combine with them, and again with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, who I worked really close with at the Melbourne Storm for a number of years. I also worked with Kevin Walters at the Storm in 2013. It certainly gave me a good opportunity to work at Origin level.”
Seibold said the benefits of working at Origin level was getting a valuable insight into how the elite players go about their training.
“You learn about how some of the key individuals prepare for a game and what they do outside of training to perform well,’’ he said.
“There are a couple of things that I have observed that I think are best practice and potentially a couple of ideas I can bring back with me.
“The whole week is a good experience and it gives me confidence working with an elite group like this, not only in my own ability, but what I can bring back to Manly.
“I am immensely proud to be part of the Qld team and very thankful of Manly for allowing me to do this.
“I know it is going to help me be a better coach. The experience of working with coaches and players from other clubs will certainly enhance my coaching.”
Seibold said one of his main responsibilities under Walters was focusing on defence.
“I have been helping with the team’s defence and looking at some of the potential threats that NSW will throw at us, and how we can best handle them.
“We have got a couple of staff who work really well together. Kevin as Head Coach, Trevor Gillmeister and Allan Langer on board as mentors. We break up what segments of training that we run, and we also take turns in presenting at the team meetings.
“It is about being able to handle what Kevin throws at us and I have really enjoyed the challenge.”
