All it took was Payne Haas announcing his departure from the Brisbane Broncos for the claws to come out, and critics to condemn Michael Maguire as a man fighting for his coaching future.
Four months earlier, he had broken a 19-year premiership drought. A ball had not yet been kicked in 2026.
“The bigger the club the more scrutiny. You can either use it as a motivator or let it get to you,” Broncos legend Darren Lockyer told this masthead.
“I choose the former. I think Madge would’ve channelled that criticism … and used it as motivation to the playing group to prove a point.”
Michael Maguire was under pressure from the start of his tenure at the Broncos. Zak Simmonds Poor defeats to Hull KR, Penrith and Parramatta were followed by Ben Te’o’s exit as assistant coach, the eruption of a war of words with Gordon Tallis, and an injury toll reaching 13 squad members.
Haas’ defection to South Sydney sparked speculation Maguire had lost his locker room, and his hard-line methods were wearing thin.
Yet the past two weeks – two triumphs, with more than $5 million worth of talent sidelined – have silenced the doubters.
“I put him right up there as one of the best signings we’ve ever made,” Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy said.
“He’
Read More