Broncos’ confidence ‘shot’ amid rumours of player revolt
Reports of a coaching change amid claims of a player revolt leave the Broncos on the cusp of being the worst performing defending premiers in NRL history.
Brisbane’s 28-16 loss to the Sharks last week, their eighth in a row, has sensationally left the NRL’s richest club in second last spot. While coach Michael Maguire has said publicly his team can still make the top eight, their recent form and the task at hand suggests he’s being overly optimistic.
The Broncos face a near impossible task to play finals football in 2026. Bradley Kanaris
The Broncos are currently eight points behind the Sea Eagles and Cowboys who are on the edge of the top eight, and must win all eight remaining games to have any hope of reaching the finals.
The results on the field have led to claims of unhappiness in the playing group, with reports stating that Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Jesse Arthurs are disillusioned with Maguire’s regime.
Mam has been in and out of the starting side, Haas is leaving for Souths next year, while Arthars will finish up in the NRL to take a deal in the English Super League.
Broncos great Gorden Tallis added weight to the reports of Maguire losing the playing group, insisting the claims are genuine.
Another Broncos premiership winner, Darius Boyd, told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, the team’s self belief is “absolutely shot”.
“Confidence is a funny thing. Sometimes you can try too hard and it make things worse,” Boyd said.
“You get singular with it too. When you’re worrying about your own job with a narrow focus, that means you’re one out and you’re not working as a team.
“If you think back to last year to the run they went on, they were unstoppable. They had belief in themselves in the second half if they were down. Now they can’t buy a win. As a fan it’s hard to watch.
“Maybe they need to try some guys out of position and look to next year.”
Following the defeat to Cronulla, the Broncos now own the longest losing run by a defending champion in the NRL era.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire addressing media on Friday. Getty
If they don’t produce a late season run, they’ll be on track to finish 12th, which is one place lower than the Wests Tigers in 2006 after winning the premiership the year before.
Maguire is off-contract at end of next season, and Broncos officials confirmed the 52-year-old will be coaching at Red Hill in 2027.
However, Tallis, believes a meeting is needed between the coach and the players, saying the reports of the playing group not seeing eye-to-eye with Maguire are true.
Gorden Tallis. Getty
“They are genuine,” Tallis told Fox Sports.
“I don’t know what it is, but no one is happy.
“Why aren’t the journos saying anything when their best player (Haas) walked out?
“He (Maguire) coached Selwyn Cobbo into reserve grade and he nearly coached (Mam) into reserve grade.
“There’s nothing wrong with their roster.
“Maybe they sit down and have peace talks.
“In the end, like Ivan Cleary with Wests Tigers ... you are either on the bus or not, and if you’re not, get off it.”
