Adam Reynolds claims outside forces trying to 'tear the team apart', denies claims of Broncos player revolt
The Brisbane Broncos are experiencing a major case of déjà vu in their opening season under Michael Maguire.
Twelve games into Maguire's much-hyped bid to return the Broncos to the glory of the 1990s, questions have already emerged about a player revolt at Red Hill.
After the 34-6 hammering to Manly at Brookvale on Saturday, their sixth loss in their past seven matches, one thing rings true about the Broncos' season so far - Maguire's tenure is beginning to look a lot like Anthony Seibold's first season at the club.
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The Broncos are 5-7 on the year, which is the same record they had in Seibold's debut year in 2019 when they struggled to eighth to finish the season.
Seibold's tenure ended in disaster but Broncos captain Adam Reynolds denies things are going the same way under Maguire, attempting to quieten talk of a player revolt.
"It's easy for the outside noise to obviously try and tear the team apart and the coaching staff," Reynolds told Nine's 100% Footy.
"Look, we're working hard, we're just like any other team who train hard.
"Everyone can write what they want to write, but internally we know we're capable of doing some great things here, and Madge is the right man leading us forward."
The Broncos are now in 11th spot on the ladder and finished 12th last season under Kevin Walters after a grand final appearance in 2023.
Brisbane's board felt Maguire was the man to lead the club, with his performance as Blues coach in 2024, leading NSW back from a 1-0 series deficit, all but cementing his position as the next Broncos mentor.
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Maguire has had success at every level of the game - winning a premiership with Souths in 2014, inspiring the Kiwis to a 30-0 hammering over the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships two years ago and then winning his lone series at the helm of the Blues.
However, his time at Brisbane is starting to look like his tenure at the Wests Tigers, which was engulfed by poor results, questions over his coaching style and leaks from the playing group.
Maguire has already told veteran forward Martin Taupau his services are no longer required after he liked a post from Tigers forward Elijah Taylor about Maguire's over-the-top intensity.
The only person to have a worse start as Broncos coach is Walters, who recorded three wins from 12 in 2021 after the club was forced into a rebuild due to the Seibold implosion.
Maguire's record in his first season in charge has fallen short of other Broncos coaches in recent years.
Ivan Henjak, Anthony Griffin and Wayne Bennett all did better in their first 12 games at the helm.
Brisbane is expected to welcome back Reece Walsh to the line-up for the must win match against Gold Coast this weekend.
Maguire's team will have to learn from past experience, with Brisbane going 2-4 in their last six clashes against the Titans.
If they go down to Des Hasler's men, who are also having a difficult season, the pressure will only intensify on club management. Maguire is safe for now according to Broncos legend Gorden Tallis.
"The CEO (Dave Donaghy) and the chairman (Karl Morris) would have to sack themselves. Absolutely. They're not going to do it," Tallis said, when asked if removing Maguire was an option.
Maguire lasted half the time he signed for at the Tigers on a three-year deal before the issues with the playing group became irreconcilable.
He has the club's backing right now, yet if the leaks and the slide down the ladder continue, it's anyone's guess how long that might last.
