Forward planning: How Seibold aims to ignite Broncos halves

Anthony Seibold insists improved play-the-ball speed from his forwards will allow star halves Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford to reach new heights in 2019.

The new Brisbane coach wants to play enterprising football but said that can't be done if the side wasn't on the front foot with ball in hand.

"People see our big forwards running with intent but we actually finished second last in the NRL [in 2018] for play the ball speed in attack," Seibold said.

"Unless you are giving your halves early ball, you could have Andrew Johns sitting behind them, it wouldn't matter. My challenge to our forwards is their job isn't done until Andrew McCullough has the footy in his hands.

"If we finish 15th again for play the ball speed, we will get the same result. You need to play on the front foot. Halves need time and they need space and we need to try and create that."

Broncos legend Steve Renouf said in his most recent column for NRL.com that the Brisbane halves needed to improve when it comes to creating more for their outside men after being constantly frustrated by the lack of opportunities provided to flying centre James Roberts by Nikorima in particular.

Seibold plans to get that area of the Broncos play humming as well.

"The other thing is the club finished 15th in the competition for shifting the footy. I like to play some footy, so we are trying to look at installing a game model that allows us to put more than a couple of passes together and we'll continue to implement some things in attack," he said.

"There was criticism of Milford and Nikorima, but they need the footy in their hands when they want it."

I am trying to give those guys the best opportunity to be the best version of themselves

Anthony Seibold on the Kodi Nikorima/Anthony Milford combination

Seibold intends to give Milford and Nikorima extended time to further build their partnership but warned that Roosters recruit Sean O'Sullivan was putting the heat on both men.

"Sean O'Sullivan was a great back-up at the Roosters. He has had a really good pre-season, physically he has improved," he said.

"Milford and Nikorima are the guys in the frame at the moment. The more we can persist with those guys, it builds cohesion and connection. When you change your spine, you lose cohesion.

"There is a lot of research around the more time people attack and defend together as a unit, it has some positive results in performances. They have their noses in front, but Sean has an opportunity in pre-season to bite at those guys' heels."

Seibold is a big believer in professional development and sent Nikorima and Milford to the North Melbourne AFL headquarters for two days of learning. Milford said recently he got a lot out of that experience.

The duo spent also recently spent time with premiership-winning five-eighth Matthew Johns in Sydney where they fine-tuned their skills.

"We are leaving no stone unturned. I am trying to give those guys the best opportunity to be the best version of themselves," Seibold said.

"I'm not trying to make them someone else. Kodi and Anthony are two of the best halves in the competition when they are at their very best. It's marginal gains.

"I sent them to the Kangaroos in the AFL and I have given them opportunities to work with Matty Johns. I talk to Matty a lot about footy so we are on the same wavelength."