South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold and Brisbane Broncos counterpart Wayne Bennett angrily brushed aside speculation over their respective futures after facing off in the NRL on Thursday.
A Corey Oates hat-trick helped the Broncos to a 38-18 victory over the Bunnies and provided a valuable boost to the play-off hopes of Bennett's men.
However, the build-up to the match was dominated by rumours concering the two coaches, with Seibold having been heavily linked to the Broncos, who are reportedly close to parting company with Bennett.
Prior to taking questions from the media in his post-match news conference, Rabbitohs chief Seibold sternly delivered a statement.
"It's been a circus, the last week, in regards to the speculation around my coaching career," said the 43-year-old.
"I'm really disappointed - I've been very open with the media and some of the things that have been said in the media are just not true.
"I'm not gonna answer any questions about the Broncos; I'm not gonna answer any speculation about my coaching career. I'm contracted to the Rabbitohs for the next 15 months."
Bennett appeared similarly unimpressed as he berated reporters after the game.
"We've been in the headlines all year ... it hasn't stopped at our place," said the veteran coach.
"It's just another day and another week. That's what I love about our club right now, you can tell me things about our club that I haven't even heard about. You are better informed than I am.
"I can't win with you guys. If I make no comment, you make it a headline and if I make a comment you still make it a headline, but that's the beauty of your job, you just sit on the fence.
"You become professional fence-sitters, you blokes. Whichever way I go, you go the opposite point of view. You're better informed than I am, so you [had] better talk to [Broncos CEO] Paul White.”
