EXCLUSIVE: Telling Darren Lockyer omission amid questions over Michael Maguire's Broncos future

Broncos director Darren Lockyer has refused to guarantee Michael Maguire's job beyond this season if the team finishes in the bottom half of the NRL ladder.

The Red Hill side sits 11th after 13 rounds and has plenty of time to turn its fortunes around, with only one win separating it from seventh-placed Manly.

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But a shocking loss to the Sea Eagles at Brookvale over the weekend has fans worried and experts casting doubt on Maguire's immediate future.

He signed a three-year contact that doesn't expire until the end of 2027, but Brisbane last year sacked favourite son Kevin Walters after the team finished 12th a year after playing in a grand final.

At this point of last season Walters had the Broncos sitting in fifth spot on the ladder.

Maguire's start to his tenure is drawing comparisons to that of Anthony Seibold's in 2019.

Seibold stood down from his role after less than two full seasons into his five-year deal.

Asked on Wide World of Sports' QLDER whether Maguire was in trouble if the Broncos failed to play finals this year, Lockyer's response was telling for what he omitted.

"If we don't make the top eight, given what we thought at the start of the year and the early signs, then that would be a disappointment," Lockyer said.

The Broncos legend did, though, suggest Maguire and the playing group can turn it around over the coming weeks.

"He's got a different approach to the coach before him in Kevvy (Walters)," Lockyer said.

"It's a different approach to the way he coaches so there is an adjustment there with the players.

"There was signs that they looked like they had adjusted early (in the year) but they're going through a bit of a clunky period at the minute."

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The Broncos have not been helped by injuries to the likes of Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt.

Queensland icon Wally Lewis believes the players are still learning Maguire's style.

"I think the players will learn more with the more opportunities they have to learn alongside him," Lewis said.

"It will be a case of being able to learn from the best."

Lockyer recognised that the current state of the Broncos is similar to the of the Bulldogs when coach Cameron Ciraldo first joined the team in 2023.

At the end of Ciraldo's first season the Bulldogs finished 15th but just one year later found themselves contesting in the finals for the first time in eight years.

Now, they sit on top of the ladder midway through season 2025.

"The Bulldogs are flying now but it took a little while for them to adjust to the way (Ciraldo) wanted them to play," Lockyer said.

"I'm confident Madge can get them going, and (do so) soon."