Michael Maguire sends chilling warning to Brisbane Broncos stars

New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has put all of his players on notice and singled out Billy Walters as one player who has plenty to prove over the summer.

Michael Maguire has warned Brisbane’s galaxy of stars that no spots are guaranteed as he challenged Billy Walters to step up to the competition posed by Ben Hunt’s signing.

Brisbane’s pre-season has been brutal with Broncos players vomiting in bins, almost collapsing in the heat and being subjected to punishing runs up Mt Coot-tha’s steep terrain under Maguire’s new regime.

But Maguire makes no apologies for pushing Brisbane’s squad to the limit, outlining his mission to turn the Broncos into a title juggernaut with the mental steel to match Melbourne and four-time premiers Penrith.

Underpinning Maguire’s methodology is the value of competitive tension, with the acquisition of Hunt turning up the heat on Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Walters in the battle for positions in Brisbane’s playmaking spine.

Walters has been Brisbane’s standout hooker for the past two seasons and he was magnificent in the side’s surge to the 2023 grand final.

But the arrival of Hunt has put the Broncos’ No.1 rake in the firing line.

Billy Walters started 23 games at hooker for the Broncos in 2024. NRL Photos

Hunt is likely to be moved to hooker if Ezra Mam returns from his off-field ordeal to partner Reynolds in the halves, and Maguire hopes Walters is up for the fight for the No.9 jumper.

Asked if Walters is under threat next season, Maguire said: “It’s competition.

“Billy Walters is a good player, but having ‘Hunty’ gives me flexibility and some good thoughts on how we do things.

“It’s great because so much talent brings competition.

“It makes everyone better having competition around.

“Billy has done a great job for the club, but I will use that competition to get the best out of training days because the game is a reflection of what you do at training.”

Walters signed a two-year contract deal in April that keeps him at the Broncos until the end of 2026.

The Walters extension was done well before Hunt’s shock departure from the Dragons and subsequent move to the Broncos which has ignited a five-way battle for the hooking spot.

The Broncos are overloaded with hookers - Walters, Hunt, Blake Mozer, Tyson Smoothy and Cory Paix can play dummy-half - and there is a view one or two are facing the axe under the salary cap.

Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire makes no apologies for implementing a tough pre-season training schedule. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Brisbane have the depth to be a top-four side in 2025 and Maguire says not even the club’s biggest stars - such as skipper Reynolds or Origin fullback Reece Walsh - should believe they are automatic selections every week.

“No one should ever take their spot for granted,” Kevin Walters’ coaching successor said.

“In the best team, you never take the jumper for granted, because it can be gone very quickly.

“That’s what competition does, so it’s a reminder to be at your best every day.”

Maguire says he revels in his reputation as a tough taskmaster, but scoffs at suggestions he risks burning out players in his quest to deliver Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

The 50-year-old’s methods clearly work. In his first year at Wigan in 2010, he won the grand final. He won a premiership with Reynolds at Souths in 2014, and has steered New Zealand and the NSW Origin teams to titles in the past 12 months.

“I love the reputation,” he said with a laugh.

“It doesn’t bother me at all, because my players know who I am and know what we do together.

“As long as my players and staff know that, then I don’t really worry what people say about me.

“I have been fortunate to work with some of the best players in the game and I have seen them succeed through what we are doing right now, so if I can get my guys at the Broncos to be like that, I will be happy with that.”

Asked about the sight of Broncos stars vomiting in bins during brutal sessions, Maguire said: “Mate that happens everywhere. Honestly.

Billy Walters and Rachel Walters attend the 2024 Saphire Gala.

“Every top sportsperson is going to be stressed at some stage and if it (hard training) creates a bit more lactate in their body and you have drunk too much water, well it comes out of your system and you keep going.

“It’s just water. I do have a bit of a chuckle to myself because all the top teams that train at the highest level in any sport, you are hearing and seeing the same thing.

“If we aren’t doing it, we aren’t where we need to be.

“If you look at the successful teams in the NRL now, like Penrith and Melbourne, you look at their connections. I had a number of Penrith players in the NSW Origin space and you feel how connected they are and the work they are prepared to do to achieve success.

“I tell you this - I am not here to fail. I’m not here not to win the premiership.

“I’m here to build success for the Broncos organisation and I believe we have the staff and players to do it.”

Originally published as Michael Maguire sends chilling warning to Brisbane Broncos stars