Under-fire Madge tight-lipped as Broncos great defends coach
Broncos coach Michael Maguire was tight-lipped on Friday when asked about the latest torrent of criticism directed his way.
But Broncos great Darius Boyd has gone in to bat for the 52-year-old coach, arguing taking Brisbane to the promised land last season should see him through to 2027 despite the disastrous title defence.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire addressing media on Friday. Getty
The Broncos are desperate to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Languishing in 13th on the ladder on 14 points, they must win eight of their last nine games to have any chance of qualifying for finals football.
Speculation around Maguire’s future as Broncos coach has gone into overdrive in recent weeks.
Respected News Corp journalist Brent Read claimed this week that if Maguire was re-signed beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of 2027, it would cause a “mass exodus”.
Read also said unrest among the playing group was more serious than reports suggested.
Meanwhile, former Broncos captain Gorden Tallis reignited his feud with Maguire on Fox League’s NRL 360 this week, remarking that if the Dragons signed him – it’s been suggested they should give him a call – they would end up “in the second division”.
When Maguire was asked about the criticism during his captain’s run press conference on Friday, a grin appeared on his face.
“I don’t pay attention to it,” he said.
“It’s part of the journey.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got to turn up tomorrow and play the best we can.
“I thought last week we actually played a really good game against a quality team [in the loss to the Roosters].
Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire. NRL Imagery
“... This group just has to stay focused on what we’re chasing.”
Brisbane’s seven-game losing run is the longest losing streak of a reigning premier since Western Suburbs Magpies in 1953.
But Maguire isn’t bucking in his approach.
“It’s called experience over a long period of time,” he said.
“I’ve probably seen most things in the game here, and what I see is a playing group that’s focused around what we all talk about. I won’t share those things that we talk about, but the group knows what we’re chasing and how we want to go about things.”
There’s no denying the Broncos have faced a massive injury toll this season.
Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, Ben Hunt, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and Corey Jensen have all missed multiple games in 2026, and Billy Walters is yet to run out in first grade this season as he recuperates from an ACL rupture.
“I guess it’s a great test for a group of men when you’re going through this [rough patch],” Maguire added.
“I’ve been through it before myself with things that I’ve done with coaching.”
Boyd, who played 206 NRL games with Brisbane across two stints and won a premiership with them in 2006, defended Maguire on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER this week.
“To me, Madge is definitely safe,” he said.
“He’s earned that respect from winning the competition [in 2025].
“Obviously, this year hasn’t gone the way they would have liked. Injuries are a big part of that as well. At the end of the day, it’s a tough job, it’s a tough business.
“But I think he’s earned that right and respect, for sure.”
Kevin Walters took Brisbane to within a bronco’s nose hair of grand final glory in 2023.
The Broncos then finished 12th in 2024 – and Walters, a club legend, was punted.
Dave Donaghy and Karl Morris were Brisbane’s chief executive and chairman when Walters was sacked – and are still at the helm at Red Hill.
Many are saying that in light of that, Maguire can’t be safe in his job.
“It’s all well and good to say these things, but who do you replace him with?” Boyd said.
“Because if there’s a better candidate out there, show me one. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Everyone loves to talk. The Broncos are a powerful club with a rich history, so if you don’t get the results, there’s people that are gonna have their opinions.
“But I think internally they wouldn’t be [at] panic stations yet, and just worrying about getting through these next couple of games to make sure they’re back on the track and hopefully challenging for finals.”
