‘It was a nightmare’: Fears raised over the Broncos biggest stars residing on the Gold Coast

Broncos hierarchy have discussed whether their full-time squad should be based exclusively in Brisbane after the club raised concerns about their biggest stars living on the Gold Coast.

The Broncos have raised internal concerns over their biggest stars living on the Gold Coast amid fears the tyranny of distance is having a negative impact on Brisbane’s performances.

This masthead can reveal Broncos hierarchy have discussed whether their full-time squad should be based exclusively in Brisbane to have greater “connectivity” as a group under new coach Michael Maguire.

Brisbane’s end-of-season club-wide review which triggered the termination of coach Kevin Walters spotlighted a number of issues to address, including the Broncos’ high-performance program.

It is understood the club’s high-performance staff flagged the geographic fragmentation of the Broncos and having to adjust training schedules to suit players’ travel demands on the Gold Coast.

Only a small cohort of Broncos live on the Glitter Strip, including vice-captain Pat Carrigan, utility back Jesse Arthars and superstar fullback Reece Walsh, who has purchased a home in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Rookie flyer Deine Mariner has recently moved closer to Red Hill, while star prop Payne Haas, tired of the travel time, left the Gold Coast two years ago and relocated to Brisbane’s inner-city near Broncos headquarters.

Reece Walsh recently purchased a home in teh Gold Coast Hinterland. Picture: Liam Kidston

A former Broncos staffer once had a theory - which he raised with club bosses - that Brisbane would never truly contend for a premiership while a cluster of their players lived on the Gold Coast.

“It was a nightmare,” the staffer once told this masthead.

“Players would want to finish weights sessions early to beat the peak-hour traffic to the Gold Coast.

“I never liked the idea of Broncos players living on the Gold Coast.”

Former Broncos skipper Alex Glenn was a long-time resident of the Gold Coast and there was an internal view the 160km round trip to training at Red Hill had a negative effect on player performance.

Carrigan could argue otherwise, with the Queensland Origin and Test warhorse winning Brisbane’s Paul Morgan Medal this year despite living on the Gold Coast and being one of the club’s most professional trainers.

In the past, Broncos high-performance staff have adjusted training schedules to fit in with the travel demands of Brisbane’s Gold Coast contingent, but those days are over under Maguire.

There is no official mandate for Broncos players to move to Brisbane. But it is Maguire’s preference for Broncos players to avoid living in remote areas hours away from Red Hill and if they do, there will be no allowances made to training schedules.

Former club captain Corey Parker amassed a decorated 347-game NRL career for the Broncos while living in the Logan region and says Broncos players should not be forced to reside in Brisbane.

“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.

“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.”

It is understood Carrigan opted to move to the Gold Coast to get away from time-wasting at Red Hill and switch off mentally after tough training sessions at Broncos HQ.

Maguire is keen to build team unity at the Broncos and believes spending time together is crucial in lifting Brisbane from 12th place to title contention next season.

“The way players support each other and the way they have that connectivity with each other ... that’s what I’ve seen from all successful teams,” he said.

“You look at Penrith right now and you can see the connection in their group.

“The well-connected teams want to be together and work together and that’s the standards I want to drive here.

Brisbane’s Paul Morgan Trophy winner Patrick Carrigan lives on the Gold Coast. Picture: David Clark

“How you’re turning up is very important.

“That’s the pro part of being a rugby league player at this level.”

Parker says Broncos players living on the Gold Coast experience similar travel times to many Sydney-based NRL stars.

“You look at the Sydney clubs,” he said.

“Some of those NRL players drive an hour to get to training, some guys live in Cronulla area and play for the Bulldogs at Belmore.

“What does it matter?

“If it’s an hour to be on time for training, well leave an hour-and-a-half early.

“It’s important Broncos players are on time for training, but I think you run into dangerous territory if you are telling people where they can or can’t live.”

Originally published as ‘It was a nightmare’: Fears raised over the Broncos biggest stars residing on the Gold Coast