Michael Maguire hits out at suggestions Broncos were guilty of skylarking after dressing-room vision of players laughing
Michael Maguire has hit out at claims his Broncos were guilty of skylarking before their loss to the Roosters, after dressing-room footage raised fresh concerns about the mindset of his players.
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Michael Maguire has hit out at suggestions Brisbane stars were guilty of skylarking as the Broncos coach put his playing group on notice ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Warriors.
The Broncos came under fire in the wake of last week’s 26-16 loss to the Roosters following dressing-room vision that showed a number of Brisbane players laughing just moments before running onto Suncorp Stadium.
That fuelled a sentiment Broncos players weren’t switched on, with even club legend Darren Lockyer, now a Brisbane board member, describing the antics as a “bit odd”.
But Maguire has addressed claims Brisbane players were carrying on like lairs, insisting no Broncos top-liner can afford to be complacent after a solid if not spectacular 4-2 start to the premiership.
Renowned for his hard-nosed style, Maguire is working hard to instil a tougher edge at Red Hill and douse the perception Brisbane’s players acted like “rockstars” after their 2023 grand-final campaign.
“That’s not representative at all of this group,” Maguire said of the dressing-room footage.
“People have to remember the cameras captured one brief moment, a few seconds of what happened prior to the game.
“That’s just people’s opinions, but unfortunately it gets brought up and the critics want to connect it to what the result is.”
Dressing-room footage captured a number of Broncos players carrying on and laughing as they were about to face the Roosters, including superstar fullback Reece Walsh and strike centre Kotoni Staggs.
The vision went down like a lead balloon with Queensland Origin legend and Fox Sports analyst Cooper Cronk, who raised concerns about Brisbane’s mental preparation.
The Broncos were largely flat and well beaten in midfield by the Roosters, but Maguire says he won’t stand for complacency at Red Hill.
The Broncos fly out for New Zealand on Thursday and Maguire has spoken to the playing group about his expectations as Brisbane look to overcome a dangerous road trip to face the Warriors.
“I have some standards here and I can’t be happier with the group of men that I have,” he said.
“They are buying in and unfortunately for us, we didn’t get it right last Friday night against the Roosters, but that’s not to say the guys aren’t professional or committed to the task.
“The players really care about this organisation and we’re fortunate to have the expectation because it’s such a great club.
“I’ve spoken to the guys. They know you can’t afford to be complacent in this competition. It’s how you turn up and the challenge for every team in the NRL is making sure you turn up every week.”
Broncos legend Lockyer, who covered the Roosters clash as an expert commentator for Channel 9, admits he was surprised by the pre-match behaviour of Brisbane players.
“I played with Allan Langer and Kevin Walters and those guys were very relaxed in having a laugh, but just before you run out, it’s a bit odd,” he said on Channel 9.
“Look, when you have an unexpected loss, it puts the microscope on everything.
“If they win that game, nothing is said. But just before you run on, most guys are pretty dialled in on what they are about to do.”
Foundation Brisbane skipper and NRL Immortal Wally Lewis said Brisbane players may have been laughing momentarily to ease the pressure valve.
“Sometimes you see guys having a bit of a smile and for some of the senior players it can be a way to ease tensions that may be in the dressing room,” Lewis said.
“In that position of leadership, sometimes you try and make a judgment on how other players are and if they are feeling the tension, the senior guys might try and make the lesser experienced players feel more comfortable.”
LOCKYER: BRONCOS LACK ‘KILLER INSTINCT’
Club legend Darren Lockyer has accused Brisbane’s pack of lacking “killer instinct” as coach Michael Maguire punished Broncos stars with a ruthless ‘WrestleMania’ session.
Brisbane’s forwards are under siege with the club’s original enforcer Greg Dowling labelling the Broncos pack a two-man band being carried by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.
Dominated in midfield by the Roosters last week, Maguire has sought instant answers, ordering an intense wrestling session ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Warriors.
The Broncos (4-2) are wary of a second consecutive loss and Lockyer challenged Brisbane’s pack to overcome a hostile New Zealand crowd against a Warriors side that will try to replicate the Bondi bullying blueprint.
“I felt like even in their wins through the first six rounds, there was still something missing - that killer instinct in defence and that is driven by your forwards,” said Channel 9 expert and former Broncos skipper Lockyer.
“If they don’t get that right, you are playing off the back foot. Teams will roll down the field, kick in an attacking position and we were getting pinned on our line on the first tackle (against the Roosters).
“Defence comes down to attitude and intensity and watching that game, Roosters were very good, but I felt like the line speed and intensity from the Broncos was not where it needed to be.
“Now they have to respond against the Warriors because going to New Zealand is a tough test.
“What’s important now is speaking with actions.
“It’s one thing to say we are going to do this and this, but they (Broncos forwards) have to action it now.”
Haas (900m) and Carrigan (854m) have been towers of strength for Brisbane this season, amassing a combined 1754m, with the Broncos’ third-ranked yardage forward Corey Jensen well behind on 533m.
But Maguire is equally mindful of Brisbane’s ability to control ruck speed after the Roosters’ forwards rumbled through the midfield with ease last week at Suncorp Stadium.
As a result, Maguire attacked the issue head on, subjecting the entire Broncos squad to a heavy wrestling session at Red Hill to ensure they are not outworked by the Warriors.
“On Monday, we had a fairly decent wrestle session,” back-rower Jordan Riki said.
“I will keep it in-house on what we do, ‘Madge’ (Maguire) is like that, but it was pretty physical.
“We know it will be a physical game and we’ve taken on board what Madge has given us.
“Madge has told us no-one is safe. Every position is up for grabs. That is the beauty of the club, we can all learn and push each other and see who needs to work on things.
“I feel like everyone across the park has to man up a bit and bring the heat.
“We know the Warriors will come out firing but we have to go out there and do the job.”
Maguire addressed suggestions the Broncos’ pack is a two-man band too reliant on Haas and Carrigan.
“We are a team and we need to be working together,” he said.
“Look, Payne and Pat are going to be the dominant ones because of who they are and what they are capable of doing.
“Naturally it’s hard for a lot of forwards to be in the same league as Payne and Patty, which is why they are Origin and Test players.
“Kobe Hetherington (lock) is working hard, I’m happy with what he is doing and our guys off the bench have been playing a massive part.
“Xavier Willison and Corey Jensen have been great contributors off the bench so I don’t think we’re lacking at all.
“Those guys have allowed Payne and Patty to use their attributes.
“You can’t have six stars in a forward pack, they all have roles to play.”
Maguire is mindful of Brisbane’s last road trip to Canberra, when the Raiders pack monstered the Broncos in the middle to spearhead a 32-22 boilover.
“We can’t just think we will turn up and perform at our best,” he said.
“We went to Canberra in round 2 and they beat us in the forwards, so it’s important we learn a lesson from that.
“There’s a style of play I want for this team and there were periods early in the game last week where we put ourselves under pressure with penalties and six agains and various things.
“We have addressed it this week to get it right.”
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