Brisbane Broncos emerge as NRL premiership threat after coach Michael Maguire tweaked his approach

The Broncos were on the brink of crisis after six losses in seven games, before coach Michael Maguire rescued their season and turned Brisbane into a premiership threat with one small change.

Brisbane is primed to launch a stunning NRL premiership assault after coach Michael Maguire eased off the gas and sent the Broncos to pasture.

The Broncos are chasing a sixth straight win in Friday night’s clash with lowly Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium and having observed and tinkered with his team over the past 20 rounds, Maguire has finally landed on what he believes is currently Brisbane’s best 17.

For the first time this year, the Broncos have no players from their top team unavailable for selection following the return of Payne Haas, Jesse Arthars and Corey Jensen after a bye.

You need a fit team to challenge for the title and Maguire has his best troops back on deck as Brisbane mounts a late run for the NRL’s top four.

It wasn’t long ago that the Broncos were on the brink of crisis following six losses in seven games that turned the spotlight on Maguire’s intense coaching.

Brisbane Broncos head coach Michael Maguire speaking at a press conference at Red Hill. Picture: Tara Croser.

The talk out of Red Hill since is that Maguire has adapted his approach and the results are there to be seen, with the Broncos now a genuine premiership contender that has the NRL on notice.

Having navigated the traditionally challenging Origin period without a loss, Maguire gave the Broncos five days off over the bye weekend to recharge.

Now he is hoping they respond in the next seven rounds and gallop into September full of steam.

“I felt it was important, it’s good for the players to be able to step away from what goes on around this club,” Maguire said.

“It’s a big club and there’s plenty of noise so to be able to step away and come back in (is beneficial).

“Everyone’s turned up really healthy and fresh ready to go for the back end of the season. It’s been really beneficial but obviously we’ve got to use that (against Parramatta).

“Everyone’s healthy and fit now with no distractions. That’s handy. The bodies are in pretty good nick at the moment so we’ve just got to keep it that way.

“We’ve got a fair bit out of the last five weeks and the way we’ve played.”

Maguire’s training methods came under scrutiny after a mid-season slump. Picture: Liam Kidston

Amid Brisbane’s mid-season crash, Maguire’s training methods and approach came under the microscope.

The 2014 premiership-winning coach vowed to plough on, but the Broncos have responded to some slight adjustments in their preparation.

A brutally tough pre-season also has Brisbane battle-hardened for what lies ahead.

“You manage every player for who they are and where they’re at,” Maguire said.

“You can never put them all into one box. Each player’s different every week and sometimes every day.

“You’re always in management mode, I suppose, but also knowing they’ve got to get the work done.

“I just ask my players to go flat out and see where they go. Sometimes the ball will go your way or the workrate will be higher in certain games. I’ll manage that as we go.”

Broncos lock Pat Carrigan has had a huge year, featuring in 16 of 17 Broncos games as well as all three Origin matches in Queensland’s victorious series.

Despite his high workload, Carrigan said he was feeling fresh after the bye and riding high on the back of Queensland’s famous win.

Patrick Carrigan says he is feeling fresh after the bye, despite a massive workload so far this season. Picture: Getty Images

“Having won this series, you’re always a little bit fresher,” he said.

“I’ve learned over the past couple of years, it’s an opportunity to let yourself refresh. I was a bit guilty of just trying to double down and dive back into things.

“Madge gave us five or six days off and that was really good to bring you back to a level head and my focus here. I feel really good.

“We had a bit of a tough period and were struggling to put some results back to back but the boys worked extremely hard and a few byes in the mix too helped us out.

“Hard work’s been what we’ve been about all year and I think that’s just shown during that period. I’m excited to build into the back of the end of year with the squad that we’ve got because there’s plenty of talent.”

The Broncos (fifth) are sitting two wins behind the fourth-placed Warriors.

With the likes of Payne Haas back on deck, the Broncos will be able to field a full strength squad for the first time all year. Picture: NRL Imagery

Brisbane has a mixed draw to finish the regular season with games against the lowly Eels and Rabbitohs followed by challenging showdowns with the Storm and Dolphins.

They finish the season against the Knights, Cowboys and Storm, but importantly only leave Queensland twice in the next seven rounds.

“Finals are still a long, long way (to go). There’s a lot of footy to be played,” Maguire said.

“We’re healthy and fit at the moment and we’ve got to make sure we stay that way.

“It’s game by game. I know we all say it, but it’s true. You get too far ahead of yourselves … the NRL is a really tough competition.

“Every team turns up, wherever you are on the ladder. It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to make sure that your heads are right, ready to go.

“We are building and we’re putting ourselves into an opportunity, but that’ll be up to us how that transpires.

“We’ve got everything to play for. They’ve got a season in front of them. There’s an opportunity there to be taken.”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos emerge as NRL premiership threat after coach Michael Maguire tweaked his approach