Broncos stars Ben Hunt and Tom Duffy have leapt to the defence of under-siege coach Michael Maguire and dismissed suggestions the club was in the midst of a cultural crisis that could trigger a mass player exodus.
Few defending premiership-winning coaches have had to endure the barrage of criticism Maguire has faced, and the narrative that his harsh and direct disciplinarian persona has a tendency to rub players the wrong way has again reared up on the back of a seven-game losing streak.
It is a story arc that dates back to marquee prop Payne Haas’ decision to leave Brisbane at season’s end to link up with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
As Haas and Adam Reynolds (retirement) both leave the club in 2027, concern of a potential player exodus emerged when Jesse Arthars opted to sign with French club the Catalans Dragons. Gehamat Shibasaki is also expected to move on, while the only confirmed recruits are veterans Mitch Barnett and Dane Gagai.
Such upheaval has led to speculation that Maguire would not see out his three-year deal to lead the 2025 champions. But Hunt, who at 36 years of age inked a one-year contract extension to remain at Red Hill for 2027, insisted Maguire’s regimen had the group’s full support.
“It’s the Broncos, there’s always outside noise and different things going on,” Hunt said.
“I re-signed assuming Madge was the coach; he was the one who came to me and asked if I wanted to go around again. He approached me first, and it was a no-brainer.”
When asked if the side was still playing for Maguire, Hunt pointed to their narrow 24-18 defeat to the Roosters on Friday night – going toe-to-toe with the title contenders, despite missing Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, Corey Jensen, Pat Carrigan, Shibasaki and Deine Mariner.
Boom forward Xavier Willison was also sidelined early after failing a concussion test.
“I know we lost on the weekend, but have a look at that game and the effort we put in. We fought hard, I really think we did, and if I take anything out of that, it’s the boys are fighting for him,” Hunt said.
“What I’ve liked about the coaches I’ve had is the directness. He always tells me where I stand, and there’s no grey area.
“He’s very clear to his players, and I feel he’s always been that with me. I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m sure they like to know where they stand too … everyone has different reasons for liking different coaches, but I love a coach who tells me how it is.”
That was a sentiment shared by Duffy, who will line up alongside Hunt in the halves for Saturday’s clash with the Cronulla Sharks, where a loss is expected to rule out any chance of a finals berth.
The 22-year-old former Cowboys rookie, who signed a two-year extension to remain in Broncos colours, described his career shift under Maguire as “refreshing”.
“In my experience, I think every player just wants to know where they stand, and Madge gives you that,” Duffy said.
“I think that’s one of his strengths, and 90 per cent of the players I’ve been [with] at different clubs, all they want is to be told where they stand, and Madge is really good at that.”
Hunt revealed centre Kotoni Staggs had a close relationship with Karapani and told him of the leadership group’s decision to again stand him down.
When asked if it felt like a betrayal of trust to again put the club in this position, Hunt conceded there was some sense of that.
“He knows he’s in the wrong, but he also knows it’s the second time he’s made that mistake, and you can’t keep making those mistakes or you’re going to find your way out of this club pretty quick,” he said.
“After that first mistake, you sort of felt he was on the right track and was doing everything right, but then he’s slipped up again.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
