Latest news with #MichaelMaguire
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Ticking time bomb' threatening Brisbane Broncos charge
Unlike the rest of the mulleted Zoomers with their devil-may-care attitudes, the only crime Reece Walsh is guilty of is caring *too* much. But while it's commendable to see him play with the heart of a humpback whale, it's pointless when it's guided by a lizard brain that fluctuates his footy like Bitcoin. And if coach Michael Maguire doesn't flatten the fullback's rowdy form line in the next few weeks, Brisbane's finals charge could end up in row Z like one of his cutout passes. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Walsh's Friday night against Parramatta was so erratic that even the haters were willing to forgive his YouTube channel if he could last just one set of footy without playing like a snapper fish on a boat deck. With three tackle busts, a line break and a try assist juxtaposed with a forward pass, an overcooked 40/20 attempt and an unattended bomb leading to a Parramatta try, Walsh again exhibited as much sumptuous brilliance as he did worms. Add a match winning try that he botched by being offside plus the Broncos gut-wrenching defeat, and it was another night for the 23-year-old marred by his over-stimulated and over-played hand. Maguire was supportive in the post-match press conference, urging his precocious dynamo to play 'the longer game' which by Walsh's standards will mean thinking for longer than 0.5 seconds. But with six weeks until finals and a top four chance still beckoning, the Broncos coach is faced with a chastening predicament: Does he prepare for a burst artery by licensing Walsh to play his natural game? Or somehow curb his capricious ways with dutiful advice, a reduced role and/or some kinda zoo tranquiliser? Everyone knows the Queensland talisman is one of those disgracefully blessed freaks who can turn a game with one blink of his gorgeously long eyelashes. But when God gifted him with every conceivable rugby league talent available, he only did it on the proviso he utilised every single one at the same time. This means Walsh isn't a match-winner with the poise of Nathan Cleary, the desire of Mitch Moses or the muscular Christian leadership of Stephen Crichton. Nope, he's just a kid in a high chair tipping bowls of baked beans on his head until one lands in his mouth. As a volume-based problem-solver who will try everything and anything until something works, this means sometimes Walsh either spectacularly hits the mark or messily flounders around blinded by tomato paste. But while this box office style has always been his accepted mode, recently it's become too imbalanced towards producing too much kernel and not enough popcorn. How do you distill the best from such an ebullient sheepdog in the short term? Skipper Adam Reynolds admitted on Friday that 'it is my responsibility to calm him down at times when he gets a bit sideways', much in the way Pat Carrigan once famously commanded to 'slow your brain' when he sprayed the ref like a bottle of uncorked champers. But ultimately the buck stops with Maguire. Tinkering with a hair-trigger game like Walsh's is a fragile exercise that risks lobotomising his mojo or detonating a ticking time bomb. Considering the fullback's potent attacking prowess is already fighting for attention within an envious offensive quartet including Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Ben Hunt, it's a delicate task that will require more than boot camps and screaming. - Dane Eldridge is a warped cynic yearning for the glory days of rugby league, a time when the sponges were magic and the Mondays were mad. He's never strapped on a boot in his life, and as such, should be taken with a grain of salt.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brutal call made on Broncos' hopes after premiership blow at hands of Panthers
NRL great Greg Alexander has called out the Brisbane Broncos and questioned if they have enough in them to win the NRL title after a shock defeat to the Parramatta Eels on Friday night. The Broncos headed into the clash against the Eels as heavy favourites after steadying their top eight hopes with five straight wins. However, Michael Maguire was left deflated after the 22-20 defeat at home to Parramatta with the Broncos once again folding when the pressure was piled on them. Reece Walsh had a rocks and diamonds game with errors mixed in with flashes of brilliance. Although Broncos great Corey Parker defended Walsh and claimed veterans Adam Reynolds and hooker Ben Hunt didn't stand up on Friday night. While Payne Haas appeared to finish the game struggling with a reoccurring back injury. The Broncos slipped to sixth on the ladder, but are only two points ahead of the Manly Sea Eagles in ninth. Maguire's men have been accused of lacking grunt in 2025 and they were once again called out after their latest display. And NRL commentator Andrew Voss claimed the team lacks the resilience to finish in the top four. 'I have not hopped on the Brisbane Broncos bus at all this year,' Voss said on Monday morning on SEN Radio. 'I still think they are absolutely capable of torching sides between now and at the end of the season. 'However, it's not consistent and I don't see any resilience. I do not see the top four toughness. I see them as pretenders." And Penrith legend Alexander claimed the team are prone to errors and capitulations once the game gets tough. He also questioned if their five-game winning streak was inflated because they beat the Titans twice. 'They are fair weather,' Alexander said. 'On their day, they can beat anyone. They were looking to make it their sixth win in a row and the Gold Coast Titans were two of those wins. The Eels exposed the frailty of this Brisbane side. They don't like it when sides get down and dirty. They don't like sides who play boring and relentless footy and that's what Mitch Moses did (for Parramatta). 'The Broncos couldn't handle it and once the scores got close, the errors and inability to get down into the grind exposed Brisbane. I'm with you (Voss). They are a fair weather team who (only likes) to play in front.' The Broncos are contending with a surging Penrith Panthers side who have moved from last on the ladder to fifth. The Panthers now sit one point ahead of the Broncos with Nathan Cleary leading his side to a 36-2 win over the Wests Tigers on the weekend to mark their seventh straight victory. The Broncos still have to play the Storm twice before the end of the season. RELATED: Stunning development for Cleary brothers as Luai under heavy fire Cameron Munster 'open' to switch to Melbourne Storm's rival Corey Parker defends Reece Walsh after loss Walsh came under scrutiny for his game, despite coming close to winning it for his side at the end only to be called offside. Walsh tried his heart out, but came up with a number of errors. Although former Broncos forward Parker was more critical of the veterans in the team who failed to outperform their counterparts. "There are moments in any sport when you need leadership," the Broncos legend said on SEN radio on Monday. "There comes a time when your most experienced players and your leaders have to stand up and make some bold calls, and they have to stay on task. "The Broncos have got Adam Reynolds at 35 years of age and over 300 games of experience. He's the No.7. He's what you would think is the leader of the football side. He's the captain, and he plays a real pivotal position. "Then you've got Ben Hunt at No.9 with just shy of 350 games. So between those two individuals you've got a collective 651 games between them. We hear so often when the Broncos win or don't win, it's either Reece Walsh has had an ordinary game or Reece Walsh has had a great game. [But] experience in big games and pivotal moments is paramount."
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Calm him down': Madge opens up on big Walsh issue as ‘cute' error cruels Broncos
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has defended Reece Walsh after his error ridden performance in the Broncos shock 22-20 upset loss to the Eels in Round 21. Walsh had a rocks and diamonds display and nearly stole the game at the death, but his try was denied due to him being off-side. Maguire conceded Walsh needs to play the long game more often, but that was true of all his players after a disappointing display. 'I think that is for all of us, he is going through exactly the same as what we just spoke about, playing the longer game,' Maguire said. 'It's about making choices, so we will review and go through that. Reece has been spectacular for us at times and he had a bit of a tough night in some of the periods in his game, so we just need to be thorough in that and how we go about our roles and the captain will steer that well. 'Over the last period we have captured the things that we want to be, but we need to do it for longer periods of time.' Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds denied the Broncos' all-star spine of Walsh, Ben Hunt, Ezra Mam and himself are still trying to work out their formation amid suggestions they are getting in each others way at times. 'No I think the spine generally moves like that anyway, so there is different parts of the game where he will get more involved and it just depends on how the game is going I suppose,' Reynolds said. 'We all love what Walshy brings. He is an excitement machine and he is a big part of our team and he is a big reason why we are where we are. 'You don't want to take that away from him, but it is my responsibility to calm him down at times when he gets a bit sideways.' Maguire was disappointed his team were not willing to build their performance and were guilty of forcing the issue at times. 'It was disappointing, they played the long game and we didn't,' Maguire said. 'We just tried to caress our way and do it cute in some periods through that second half and we didn't build pressure and they did.' The Broncos held their breath when Payne Haas went up the tunnel before kick-off and he later limped off after an ankle injury, but Maguire denied he is in any danger of missing games. 'Payne is okay, he just has a temperamental body at the moment, which he is sorting through,' Maguire said. 'That's his challenge at the moment to get himself right.' 'That's just Payne putting his body on the line, but he is alright I just spoke to him, so he is okay,' Maguire said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos to unleash 'super six' together for first time
It has taken 21 rounds, but Brisbane finally have their dream starting spine and two powerhouse forwards, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, set to play together for the first time. The takeaway from that fact ahead of the home clash with Parramatta on Friday night is that the fifth-placed Broncos' premiership window is well and truly open. Ideally they would like to be closer than four points outside the vital top four, but they have a chance to make the most of the stars aligning to give them a red-hot crack at the title. The first-choice spine of Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt had their first game together in the 26-14 win over Gold Coast before the bye. Prop Haas has returned from two weeks off after he was rested from the Titans match due to a lower back injury, and will partner lock Carrigan in a fearsome pack. It's all systems go for the Broncos, but it is up to them to make the most of it. "I'm looking forward to a really strong performance. We've got everything to play for," coach Michael Maguire said. "There's an opportunity there to be taken. It's not so much about who we're playing, it's about what we're doing. It's really important. "We've got a fair bit out of the last five weeks, the way we've played." The Broncos have won their past five games after a sequence of six losses in seven matches. Haas has been a marvel after going above and beyond to play for the side, despite carrying a lower back injury for most of the year. "He's worked hard. He's sacrificed a lot of time to make sure his back's right," Maguire said. "Payne has actually had a real good couple of weeks. I'm glad now that we rested him (against the Titans) ... and he's looking forward to what's ahead." The return of veteran Hunt against the Titans, from two months out with a hamstring injury, has given the Broncos a second rudder to complement captain Reynolds. "Having Hunty there, that's pretty handy for us with obviously the experience that he brings," Maguire said. "He will develop as he keeps going because he hasn't played a lot of nine in recent times, but he's played in big games, so he knows what he's doing." In injury news, giant prop Ben Te Kura is set for more time on the sidelines after a foot fracture playing for Souths-Logan. "He's had a really tough run, the big fella. He got a bit of a slight fracture in one of his bones in his feet," Maguire said. "Unfortunately, he's been in and out. He should be back for two or three games at the back end (of the season), we're hoping."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Very aware': Maguire dismisses Broncos concern as family detail comes to light
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has opened up on how his players and staff spent their week on the bye, and dismissed concerns the team might have lost some momentum because of the break. Brisbane have won five in a row to put themselves in fifth place on the NRL ladder heading into Round 21. Sitting four points behind the Warriors in fourth, the Broncos will be keen to continue their winning ways to try and secure a top-four finish to the regular season. They face the Parramatta Eels at home on Friday night, before another game at Suncorp against the lowly Rabbitohs. Speaking on SEN radio this week, Maguire revealed he sent his players and staff away to be with family during their bye last week. While some coaches like to continue training so they don't lose any momentum, Maguire saw an opportunity to give his team some much-needed down-time, and gave them a full five-day break to be with their loved ones. When asked what the Broncos did on their break, Maguire said: "With family really. I'm usually pretty full-on with the players but when I get a chance I always love to get away with the family and just spend time at home. Dropping the kids at school and getting to their sporting events and things like that, so it was actually a nice little break." The Broncos coach admitted he's aware that some teams come back from the bye a bit sluggish, but dismissed concerns his team will fall into that trap. "You get into a bit of a routine when you're going week-to-week, and we've been fortunate to have that over the last month," he said. "But now we've got to make sure we take what we got out of that [and continue it]. I am aware that when you have a bit of a break you can break your rhythm, so we've got to jump straight into what we're doing on Friday. We've got to be very aware that Parramatta can start strongly." Michael Maguire finally getting to use first-choice spine With Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt all fit and firing, Maguire is finally getting the chance to utilise his first-choice spine. Walsh and Hunt have been out at different times with injuries, while Mam was suspended for the first nine games of the year. But all four are finally available, and it's an exciting time for Broncos fans. "I think they're going to keep evolving over this next month," Maguire said. "Hunty probably hasn't played as much in the No.9 jersey, but his smarts about what he sees at 9 is going to be real helping hand. And that will release Ezra and Reecey. I've got two senior leaders and two X-factors there. "We can play a controlled style but those boys can also express themselves when there's a bit of space. It is exciting to have that spine back. It was what I was expecting to have when I first started, but we've managed to get there now. Each game we play I think we'll get better and better." RELATED: Panthers fans divided after Ivan Cleary forced to axe grand final hero Teammate responds amid calls for NRL stars to cop ban from Origin Maguire provided an insight into the type of person Walsh is behind closed doors. "He brings a lot of energy to every day," he said. "He's a livewire and he loves his footy, and that rubs off on everyone. When we add Reece and Ezra and the support they provide, we're just a different team. The day-to-day training, he's a real competitor and I love coaching those types of players." Broncos players feeling fresh after bye The Broncos' bye also provided their State of Origin players to freshen up and get their bodies right for the run home. Payne Haas has been battling some niggles, although Pat Carrigan didn't carry the same workload he usually does for the Maroons, spending more time on the bench than in previous years. "I've just learned over the past couple of years that it's an opportunity to let yourself refresh," Carrigan told AAP this week. "I was a bit guilty (in 2024) of just trying to double down and dive back into things. Madge (Maguire) gave us five or six days off, and that was really good to bring me back level-headed and back to my focus here. I feel really good."
