Cooper Cronk can see Anthony Seibold’s fingerprints all over South Sydney and believes no one has benefitted from the coach’s influence more than opposing halfback Adam Reynolds.
Cronk and Reynolds face off in Saturday night’s blockbuster clash between foundation club rivals South Sydney and the Roosters in the last game before Allianz Stadium is demolished and rebuilt. The premiership-winning No.7s are chiefly responsible for guiding their teams to the preliminary final after putting on masterclasses in their last outings.
Standing ovation: Cooper Cronk is impressed with the form of opposing halfback Adam Reynolds.
Cronk controlled the tempo during the win against Cronulla with an astute kicking game and scored a try for good measure. Reynolds, meanwhile, scored all 13 of his side’s points – including three pressure field goals – in the win against the Dragons.
Cronk has previously worked with Seibold, an assistant coach while both men were at Melbourne, and has been impressed with the influence he has had in his first year in charge at the Rabbitohs. He believes Reynolds has taken his game to a new level under the man most likely to earn the Dally M’s coach of the year award.
"[Reynolds] has benefitted from the positive fingerprints Anthony Seibold has put on that football team," Cronk said.
"He’s always had a kicking game that is an integral part of Souths’ performance for a long period of time, but he’s benefited from the philosophy Anthony Seibold has brought to the club.
Inside knowledge: South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold knows Cooper Cronk’;s game from his time as an assistant coach at Melbourne.
"Along with [Damien] Cook and a few other players, the approach Anthony has taken has allowed them to do a few different things to make them feeling comfortable.
"At the end of the day, I can pick apart things differently but the reason why Souths are in this position is Adam Reynolds. Let’s be honest.
"There were situations there where Saints looked like they would get through and through his courage and execution under pressure, they are in a prelim final."
Seibold may be in his rookie year as a head coach, but he is already showing the hallmarks of a wily veteran. Just moments after disposing of the Dragons, he claimed all the pressure was on the Roosters after the club managed to convert just one of its four minor premierships into a major one.
"I don’t see it as mind games," Cronk said. "It is what it is, a prelim final, and there’s pressure on everyone out there.
"Whether you feel pressure or don’t, the whole idea is can you go out there and play well."
Seibold will have an intimate knowledge of Cronk’s game – "as an assistant he’s always willing to learn, always evolved and applied work ethic to his job" – but it wouldn’t have changed much from their time at the Storm. The long-time Queensland and Australian halfback said his preparation and performance wouldn’t be changing now that the regular season is over.
"If you look at the way I play, if it was a pre-season game at Gosford or a round 15 at ANZ Stadium or a prelim, I play the same way," he said. "I make effort areas, I make my tackles, I make completions with my kicking game – you just do it with a bit more intensity and urgency. The occasion requires it."
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