New rule set to force Brisbane Broncos players to move

Coach Michael Maguire has taken a hard line approach with Broncos stars with one tactical move set to have players on the move.

Reece Walsh at Brisbane Broncos HQ, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

The days of special treatment being given for Broncos stars living on the Gold Coast are over.

News Corp has revealed new coach Michael Maguire will not give any consideration to his players that call the glitter strip home when planning out his training schedules.

The former Rabbitohs premiership-winning coach has taken a hard-line stand that could potentially force some of the club’s biggest stars, including Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh to move.

According to The Courier-Mail, Broncos bosses have grown concerned about the contingent of players that live 80km down the M1 highway with fears the distance could have an impact on the club’s culture.

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Maguire has been tasked with pulling the club out of its 2024 nosedive where the club failed to make the finals.

Former coach Kevin Walters departed the club after a damning end-of-season review which reportedly found the playing group’s professionalism did not meet the club’s standards.

The review reportedly questioned the standards and leadership within the football department, while Walters reportedly received criticism for his communication style, inconsistent messaging and lack of organisation.

Reece Walsh and Patrick Carrigan at the Broncos’ end of year awards. Picture David Clark.

News Corp now reports some figures at the club believe players living remotely could have played a part in the cultural issues.

According to the report, some players previously asked to leave training early in order to beat peak-hour traffic while travelling back to the Goldy.

Walsh, who recently snapped up an $8m dream home on the Gold Coast, is one of several players that fight traffic every time he travels to the Broncos’ Red Hill headquarters.

The report states while Maguire would prefer players to live in Brisbane, he will not demand players move back to the river city.

However the famously strict coach won’t tolerate any excuses from players living outside of the riverside city and will not allow any of them to leave training early.

Reece Walsh at Brisbane Broncos HQ, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

The view that living remotely impacts on performance is dented slightly by the fact workhorse forward Pat Carrigan was the club’s best player in 2024 — despite living on the Gold Coast.

Broncos legend Corey Parker also says he can’t see any issue as long as players meet all the training demands Maguire will set.

“My personal view is live wherever you want, who cares?” Parker said.

“Why would it matter? If it’s impacting the team and their performance, then you might have to look at it.

“Some people might want to live on the Gold Coast and I don’t mind that. (Former captain) Alex Glenn lived on the Goldy for a long time and he was a great professional. You have to make sure you are performing and doing your job as a professional. I don’t see why it should be an issue for the Broncos.”