Josh McGuire move: Why every club wins as the big Bronco heads north to the Cowboys
To quote renowned rugby league-loving band Hot Chocolate, “everyone’s a winner’’ with the Josh McGuire switch from the Brisbane Broncos to the North Queensland Cowboys.
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To quote renowned rugby league-loving band Hot Chocolate, “everyone’s a winner’’ with the Josh McGuire switch from the Brisbane Broncos to the North Queensland Cowboys.
The Maroons and Kangaroos workhorse is set to head to Townsville on a four-year, $3 million deal starting in 2019 and both clubs can claim a victory in the win-win deal.
1. Brisbane’s salary cap becomes a Roosters-like sombrero
A RIVER of cash is now running through Red Hill which will help Brisbane keep a host of off-contract players.
Corey Oates, Tevita Pangai JR and Matt Lodge – to name a few – will reap financial benefits from the highly paid McGuire’s departure.
Speculation about a player exodus when Wayne Bennett leaves the club will be just that as players choose to stay at Brisbane.
By cutting loose a 28-year-old McGuire, the Broncos can keep together a pack that will serve the club well for the next five to 10 years.
The likes of Joe Ofahengaue, Payne Haas and David Fifita get more opportunities to shine on the field now. A host of talented young props like Patrick Carrigan are also coming through the ranks so Brisbane have big boppers to burn.
2. Brisbane’s dressing room keeps its culture kings
ALEX Glenn and Jordan Kahu are immensely popular figures at Red Hill and they still face the prospect of being forced out of the club in a salary cap squeeze.
They are more likely to stay now – even as the Gold Coast Titans sniff around Glenn – which will be great for the vibe in the dressing room, not to mention they are Kiwi internationals who are still very handy NRL players and give the Broncos great experience and depth.
3. The Cowboys get some extra mongrel
MCGUIRE can be an abrasive character. At best, a pest. At worst, divisive and difficult.
The Cowboys will back themselves and their culture to channel McGuire’s prickly energy for the good of the team.
You cannot have a team of choirboys in the NRL. The only title they would win would be a singing competition.
McGuire will give them an edge.
4. The Cowboys bolster their pack depth
THE great warrior Matt Scott has battled knee and neck dramas the past two years and 2019 looms as his last campaign. The co-captain has been a wonderful servant of his club, state and country but his body is starting to fail him.
North Queensland can now add McGuire’s workrate and combative attitude to the power running of Jason Taumalolo and Cohen Hess along with Test prop Jordan McLean. They have close to the best pack in the NRL in 2019.
5. North Queensland keep the premiership window ajar
Forget about the disappointing 2018 season. After signing Ben Barba and McGuire, the Cowboys showed they are serious about staying in the hunt for a title in the first year of the post-Thurston era.
It shows key target Valentine Holmes and other potential signings that they are fair dinkum and heading to Townsville means you are heading to a contender, not a pretender.
Originally published as Josh McGuire move: Why every club wins as the big Bronco heads north to the Cowboys
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