Why Michael Maguire refuses to axe struggling Broncos star Kobe Hetherington

Kobe Hetherington was always going to have big boots to fill when he won the Broncos’ No.13 jumper. Michael Maguire explains why he’ll continue to back him despite a slow start.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire says Kobe Hetherington is not in danger of being axed despite the hit man struggling to match Pat Carrigan’s workrate as a starting lock.

Hetherington is one of several Broncos forwards under pressure to lift their output in Saturday night’s dangerous road trip to face the Warriors in Auckland.

Origin Broncos enforcer Greg Dowling turned the blowtorch on Brisbane’s forwards in the lead-up to the round 7 clash, accusing Payne Haas and Carrigan of carrying their pack.

Maguire dropped a selection bombshell in round 1 when he stripped Carrigan of his beloved No.13 jumper, moved him to prop and promoted his understudy Hetherington to lock.

Hetherington has produced some stinging defensive shots this season, but managed just five runs for 38 metres in last week’s loss to the Roosters and four runs for 19m against the Dolphins three weeks ago.

Kobe Hetherington is not in danger of being axed despite the hit man struggling to match Pat Carrigan’s workrate. Picture: Getty Images

By contrast, Carrigan won Brisbane’s prestigious Paul Morgan Medal from the lock position last season, having amassed 3744 metres and averaging 170m and 37 tackles per game.

But Maguire dismissed concerns about Hetherington’s output, saying he is a key part of Brisbane’s starting midfield as the Broncos target a 5-2 start by beating the Warriors.

“I’m happy to keep Kobe there,” Maguire said when asked if he is considering moving Carrigan back to lock.

“It’s still a work in progress. Kobe is working hard. I’m happy with what he is doing and our guys off the bench have been playing a massive part.

“Xavier Willison and Corey Jensen have been great contributors off the bench so I don’t think we’re lacking at all (in the forwards).

Coach Michael Maguire admits Hetherington is a work in progress but is happy to keep him in the starting side for now. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“Every pack in the comp has their attributes and there’s guys in our pack who bring different things.

“Kobe is working on his output and guys like him and ‘X’ (Willison) have allowed Payne and Patty to use their attributes.”

Hetherington is itching for more minutes.

The son of Queensland Origin legend Jason has been used by Maguire for an average of 39 minutes per game after six rounds, but believes he has the fitness to be an 80-minute contributor for the Broncos.

Corey Parker is one of Brisbane’s greatest locks and the former Broncos skipper urged Maguire to keep faith in Hetherington in the No.13 jumper.

“The easy option is to move Patty back to 13, but I like Kobe at lock,” said 347-game Broncos legend Parker.

“I don’t see what changes if you move Pat Carrigan from prop to lock.

“At the end of the day, he is still operating as a middle forward (in the front row).

“I could understand if ‘Madge’ (Maguire) went with Payne and Corey Jensen at prop, but I like Kobe in the middle because he ties the ruck up nicely.

“He is a brilliant defender.”

Hetherington (middle) with Broncos assistant Ben Te’o (left) and Pat Carrigan at Red Hill. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Stung by last week’s 26-16 loss to the Roosters, the third-placed Broncos (4-2) will remain in the top four if they dispose of a Warriors side desperate to hit back after being flogged 42-14 by Melbourne.

Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater believes the Broncos have more gears under the tutelage of his former NSW rival Maguire, who toppled the Maroons last season.

“The Broncos are nowhere near their best, which is good,” Slater said.

“They are winning some games, but there is still a whole heap of progress for the Broncos, which is a great sign for them.

“We’re only in April. They are at the right end of the ladder at the moment.”

Originally published as Why Michael Maguire refuses to axe struggling Broncos star Kobe Hetherington