Michael Maguire says Broncos have the team spirit to win the NRL premiership in 2025

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has praised his side in the wake of their ruthless win over the Roosters, saying they have the team spirit and a lethal connection to win the premiership.

Michael Maguire says Brisbane’s class of 2025 has the team spirit that wins premierships after lauding the lethal “connection” of a Broncos side which has sent shockwaves through the league.

Brisbane flexed their premiership muscle nice and early with Maguire launching his Red Hill epoch in style with a ruthless 50-14 drubbing of the Roosters in the 2025 opener in Sydney on Thursday night.

Bookmakers have Brisbane on the third line of betting to win this year’s title and the Broncos made an emphatic opening statement with a nine-try massacre at Allianz Stadium.

It wasn’t so long ago that Brisbane’s squad were questioned about their commitment, with the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam labelled “rock stars” after last year’s dismal 12th-placed finish, which cost coach Kevin Walters his job.

But Maguire’s troops purred like a Ferrari at Allianz as hat-trick winger Selwyn Cobbo, rampaging props Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas and wily halves Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt put on a masterclass.

Michael Maguire launched his Broncos career in style, as his side produced a ruthless drubbing of the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

If anyone can detect team spirit, it is Maguire. He has coached for 20 years and has had success at every level, including the northern and southern hemispheres, headlined by Maguire breaking South Sydney’s 43-year title drought in 2014.

While the new Brisbane mentor concedes premierships aren’t won in March, Maguire rubbished doubts about the commitment of Broncos players, lauding the squad’s willingness to buy into his methods.

“I am really happy for the players,” Maguire said in the wake of Brisbane’s 36-point Bondi belting.

“That win says a lot about the players.

“One thing since arriving at the club, I have seen there is a strong connection, they have experiences, and for myself, I’ve come into a group that has been together for a while and gone through some challenging times.

“They have put their heads down and done the work.

“It says a lot about the group of what they are willing to do for each other.

“They want to work for each other and that says a lot about the connection of the players.

“That’s what I’ve really learned about this team.”

Despite observing Ramadan, Payne Haas was a standout for the Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

The poster boy for Brisbane’s commanding first-up display was Haas.

Despite observing Ramadan, which prevents the Muslim prop from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk, even while training in 30 degree heat, Haas destroyed the Roosters with 145 metres and 11 tackle busts.

“I have had a bit of time with Payne,” said Maguire, who coached Haas with the NSW Origin team last year.

“He is an incredible human being.

“The players really appreciate what he can do and he got some reward (against the Roosters) from the hard work they all did.

“Everyone worked hard defensively and that allowed Payne to do what he does.”

While Brisbane scored 50 points for the first time in their history against the Roosters, the Broncos’ attitude without the ball was more pleasing for Maguire.

The former NSW mentor builds his methods around defensive discipline and players executing under fatigue.

The Broncos conceded 607 points last season at an average of 25 per game. Those statistics would drive Maguire bananas. He wants Brisbane defending like Melbourne and Penrith and so far, including three miserly efforts in the trials, the ‘Brickwall Broncos’ are living up to Maguire’s standards.

Michael Maguire says the Broncos have a special connection after going through challenging times and getting through them together. Picture: Getty Images

“You can see the energy and they were feeding off each other and we’ve spoken about that,” he said.

“They definitely put a few decent tries on, but I’m more excited how hard they are working for each other defensively.

“There is talent there, we know that, but you have to earn the right to do that (attack) and the boys did that with their defence.

“There were times where we were really under the pump, but the energy and the effort the players put in for each other, that was a real highlight of the game.

“They put the work in throughout the pre-season and the harder you work the rewards come.

“They were able to capitalise on the things we have been practising.”

Originally published as Michael Maguire says Broncos have the team spirit to win the NRL premiership in 2025