Carrigan: Broncos need a 'strong head' as coach in 2021

Brisbane captain Pat Carrigan says the team needs a "strong head" to coach them in 2021 and believes future players need to fit that same mould if the club is to be successful again.

Maroons coach and five-time Broncos premiership-winning player Kevin Walters and former Cowboys coach Paul Green are the front-runners to replace Anthony Seibold who exited the head coaching role this week with the Broncos in 15th position.

"I think that is well above my pay grade but whoever gets the job – whether it be Kevvie, Paul or whoever else – I think we need a strong head to lead us moving forward," Carrigan said.

"That's not only from a staff perspective but from a playing perspective as well. The testament of a team and playing group is when you can criticise each other for the right reasons and don't get all defensive.

"We are working on having a successful year next year and I am sure whoever the coach is they will be able to provide that guidance and help us achieve that.

"There has been some change at the club regarding staff and where the club is going as a business and we would be kidding ourselves as a playing group if we weren't having similar honest conversations as a team."

Seibold shed tears as he said goodbye to his players on Wednesday after coaching the club for less than two years of his five-year deal. Carrigan conceded the players' poor form, where the Broncos have had just one win from their last 13 games, played a role in the coach's demise.

"I debuted under Seibs as did Tommy Flegler so he was our first full-time NRL coach so it was disappointing to see him go," Carrigan said ahead of Friday night's clash with the Roosters at the SCG.

"I owe a lot of my development to him and the rest of the staff here. I am happy he has made his decision and it was for the right reasons, and both parties can move on.

"I think we play a part to be fair. We haven't performed and there is no sugar coating that. I don't think there was any [push by] the players to move Seibs on. That was a personal decision.

"There is probably a sense of relief for Seibs personally, having sorted everything out. There was a lot of off-field things that were happening that were probably putting pressure on himself and his family."

Carrigan said captaining Brisbane in difficult times had its own silver lining.

"It has kept me honest," said.

"When you are not performing it is human nature to look for other reasons or what other people aren't doing but it has made me look at myself first.

"I have enjoyed the experience and it has helped me improve my game."

Former Roosters half Sean O'Sullivan will play his first game of rugby league since September last year after tearing an ACL playing for Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup.

"He has got a really good story of some of the injuries he has overcome as a kid to get to first grade level, let alone what he has been through the last six to twelve months," Carrigan said.

"He was playing really good footy [last year] against Cronulla and tore a hamstring and fought his way back to play when we beat Parramatta at Suncorp. He is excited to go to the SCG and will see a couple of his old mates, so I think he will be up for it."