Broncos icon declines Michael Maguire’s peace offer as grand final encounter revealed

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has reportedly given new coach Michael Maguire a brutal response during an encounter.

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has reportedly declined a chance to make peace with incoming coach Michael Maguire in yet another chapter in the pair’s running feud.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Tallis and Maguire ran into each other during the Storm and Panthers grand final, sparking an awkward encounter.

“He said, ‘G’day mate,’ and shook my hand and he said, ‘We should catch up for a coffee’,” Tallis said.

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“I told him, ‘I don’t drink coffee’.

“I don’t need to be friends with any coach. I never caught up with Kevvie, I don’t catch up with Des (Hasler) and I never caught up with Justin Holbrook.

“What I say is just my opinion. It’s not an opinion on behalf of the Broncos old boys. No-one tells me what to say.

Gorden Tallis and Michael Maguire

“I’m paid to give my opinion and when I’m asked I am just going to give my honest thoughts.”

Tallis has remained a staunch supporter of sacked coach Kevin Walters, making it clear he believes Maguire’s not the right man to lead the Red Hill club.

Walters was ousted from his position after a post-season review of Brisbane’s 2024 campaign, with Maguire signing a three-year deal ahead of the 2025 season.

Maguire’s recently won a Pacific Championships with New Zealand and delivered a comeback series victory for the NSW Blues, but Tallis still believes he’s not a good enough replacement.

Only hours before the pair’s interaction, Tallis went back through the record books, taking aim at Maguire’s coaching credentials in clubland.

“When it’s a big club you go and get the best coach and if you don’t ask Craig Bellamy, you don’t ask Ivan Cleary, (then) you don’t know,” he said.

“They sacked Kevvie because he came 12th and then Madge in his last six years came 12th, 12th, 9th at the Tigers, then he got worse.

“He came 11th, 13th, then he got the wooden spoon. They’re not replacing him (Walters) with Craig Bellamy.”

Originally published as Broncos icon declines Michael Maguire’s peace offer as grand final encounter revealed