Poll results: Fans identify players’ ‘rock-star’ mentality as Brisbane Broncos’ most pressing issue

Broncos fans have had enough of the “rock-star’’ mentality that has undermined the club. This is the powerful message booming out of a survey of more than 15,000 punters. See the full results from the wide-ranging poll.

Broncos fans are not fussed over who captains the club, what the old boys say or who runs the football department.

But they have had enough of the “rock-star’’ mentality that has undermined the club.

This is the powerful message booming out of a survey of more than 15,000 fans on this masthead’s website.

The findings come after Broncos star Ezra Mam will have his $4m contract under scrutiny after a car crash in which he allegedly failed a drug test and drove without a licence.

The question “what is Michael Maguire’s biggest issue at the Broncos?’’ triggered 60 per cent of fans to say addressing the club’s rock-star culture.

The decision to sack coach Kevin Walters prompted some backlash from the club’s old boys but only 5 per cent of fans thought this was the biggest issue, while a decision on the captaincy rated 1 per cent.

Maguire has been urged to address the club’s ‘rock-star’ mentality as a priority.

Salary cap roster management rated only 5 per cent and a football department shake-up 4 per cent.

Strangely enough, the only other answer to reach double figures after the rock-star statement was declining training standards (14 per cent).

This was seemingly a reaction to occasional quips about falling standards during the closing stages of the Broncos’ miserable season.

The significance of the voting will not be lost on Maguire, the no-nonsense disciplinarian brought in to drag some of the club’s high rollers, including Mam, back to planet earth.

If anything, it will give him extra licence to launch a crackdown.

Clearly, there is a public perception that the players have been pampered, a view seemingly shared by former Broncos trainer Mark Burgess, who said the club’s palatial gym looked like a hairdressing salon.

“Wayne Bennett won many titles in a rusted old gym beside the bowls club,’’ Burgess recently told The Courier-Mail. “They have this high-performance centre worth millions and millions of dollars.

“It’s the benchmark in the competition … clearly it’s not showing on the field.”

Mam’s future remains delicately poised. No charges have been laid as police await the result of a second drug test. It has been speculated he could be the first player sent to a new independent disciplinary panel set up by the NRL to handle off-field discretions.

WALKER’S GONE

Oh for a spare cab docket …

The Broncos’ plans for life after Adam Reynolds took a twist last week when boom halfback Sam Walker agreed to a new deal with the Sydney Roosters to keep him at the club until the end of 2027. Walker’s father Ben and uncles Chris and Shane all played for the Broncos but five years ago, Ipswich boy Walker, while still a schoolboy, had to pay $60 for an Uber to a meeting with Broncos officials, who were jostling with the Roosters for his signature.

It swung the deal the Roosters’ way and the rest is history.

Brisbane missed out on Sam Walker. Picture: NRL Photos

Once Walker signed with the Roosters, he was always going to be a tough target to lure back north of the border.

Veteran half Reynolds has been an excellent signing for the Broncos, although life after his expected retirement next year is murky.

Recent history tells us that unless you have an experienced halfback like Nathan Cleary or Cooper Cronk, it’s a Mt Everest climb to take the title.

Originally published as Poll results: Fans identify players’ ‘rock-star’ mentality as Brisbane Broncos’ most pressing issue