Michael Maguire admits he was guilty of coaching-box blunders in Broncos’ Magic Round loss to Panthers

Brisbane’s premiership credentials are under the microscope after their Magic Round pummelling to the Panthers, a loss in which coach Michael Maguire admitted he was guilty of costly coaching-box blunders.

Michael Maguire has admitted he was guilty of coaching-box blunders in Sunday’s 32-8 Magic Round pummelling by the Panthers which consigned Brisbane to a 5-4 record after nine rounds.

Now Maguire faces a tricky road trip to Sydney for Friday night’s showdown with Souths super coach Wayne Bennett as the Rabbitohs prepare to welcome back superstar Latrell Mitchell from suspension.

Bookmakers installed the Broncos as third favourites to win this year’s premiership but their title bona fides are under the microscope following the Panthers collapse.

While skipper Adam Reynolds claimed he was at fault for Brisbane’s Magic Round drubbing, Maguire said he was to blame for some of the Broncos’ tactical decisions.

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That included Brisbane opting to take a 32nd-minute penalty goal to level scores at 8-all after peppering Penrith’s tryline without scoring.

“I will take that, that was on me,” Maguire said of the penalty goal and Brisbane’s overall display.

Michael Maguire in the box at Magic Round. Picture: NRL Photos

“I won’t go into the details of that, but there were areas where myself as a coach, I learnt a lot about my players and I will wear that part of that game.

“You can write however you want on that one, but that period of the game there (when Brisbane levelled scores at 8-all) I will wear that and what was played out there.”

Asked to elaborate on why he was taking responsibility, Maguire said: “Interchanges, plays … I won’t go into detail about it, but that’s the part of what I am learning about this playing group.

Michael Maguire has admitted to some coaching blunders. Picture: NRL Photos

“They are good to coach and that was an area of the game where I know if I had my time again, I would change a few things there and we wouldn’t be talking about the same thing.

“They built pressure on us and we didn’t capitalise when we had the pressure on. We need to be better there but as a coach I got a lot out of that game, understanding my players and what we need to do.

“I know there are things this team is capable of doing and I have to execute things myself.

“It’s not nice losing but I will get a lot out of this one.”

Maguire is frustrated at Brisbane’s inability to dominate for 80 minutes. The Broncos have lost three games against the Raiders, Roosters and Panthers this season when those respective forward packs have stuck it to Brisbane in midfield.

But Maguire denied the Broncos had a soft underbelly.

“There were some good moments at the start of the game but it’s learning how to do it longer,” he said.

“We put in a good start, but it’s being able to do that for longer periods of time and we’ll discuss that as a playing group.

“To get the longer version of being able to get the success is what this competition asks of you.

“We have to play for longer periods.”

Skipper Reynolds said the Broncos playing group had spoken internally about their inconsistency.

“It’s been addressed and it’s something we want to find – consistency,” he said.

“We executed well early but they (Penrith) put us to the sword.

“We have been really good in games and in some games, we are quite poor.

“It’s something we have addressed. Last week we had a good performance against the Dogs but it was not such a good performance against the Panthers.”

Originally published as Michael Maguire admits he was guilty of coaching-box blunders in Broncos’ Magic Round loss to Panthers