Broncos coach Michael Maguire has backed injured captain Adam Reynolds to be available to play next week and dismissed club legend Gorden Tallis‘ latest criticism.
And Maguire has gained an ally in his ugly feud with Tallis in Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who said the thought of the Brisbane coach being under pressure just months after winning a premiership was “ridiculous”.
Winless from two games, the Broncos will go in search of their first victory of their title defence against the Storm in Melbourne on Friday night.
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Tallis has continued to take shots at Brisbane ahead of the AAMI Park clash, blasting Reynolds over the management of his rib injury and the halfback’s withdrawal from the Storm game.
Tallis has said Reynolds should not have attended the press conference after Brisbane’s loss to Parramatta last Friday night, nor travelled to Sydney to fulfil a Fox League commitment — and claimed that in doing so he was unprofessional and showcasing poor leadership.
Adam Reynolds goes off with injured ribs last Friday night. NRL Imagery
Tallis’ criticism of Reynolds is on top of the onslaught he has long directed at Maguire over his training methods.
Maguire was asked on Thursday if Tallis’ avalanche of criticism was weighing on him or the club.
“No. Not at all. No,” Maguire told reporters in Melbourne.
“At the end of the day, I look after my players and the captain, and that’s my viewpoint, and everyone else’s viewpoint, too.
“So our big focus is what we’re doing tomorrow. That’s the most important thing for where we are.”
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Bellamy was asked in his press conference on Thursday what he thought of the barbs being thrown at Maguire.
“I wouldn’t have a clue [about what’s being said], and I would find it hard to believe that a guy that was the coach of a grand final-winning side six months ago would be under pressure. That’s ridiculous,” Bellamy said.
“So, anyway, that’s my opinion.”
Maguire was asked if he also thought the criticism was ridiculous.
He batted the question away.
“To be honest, I don’t pay too much attention, as much as people say,” the Broncos coach said.
“It’s more around what we’re trying to build here. I’m really enjoying coaching this group because we’re trying to build something there that can have sustained success, and each week’s another challenge.
“This is no different, so the boys will go about what they need to [do]. And I’m very proud of them, the way they go about their training and what they’re trying to build here. So I think that’s the most important thing for me.”
Reynolds was named at halfback when Brisbane released their squad on Tuesday afternoon, before news filtered through only hours later that he wouldn’t be fit.
Ben Hunt will play at halfback alongside five-eighth Ezra Mam, with Blake Mozer joining the bench for the grand final rematch against Melbourne.
“Look, I actually thought he [Reynolds] was gonna be able to play [against Melbourne], but he unfortunately just couldn’t make the trip down,” Maguire said.
“But he’ll be right next week.
“Well, I think he will be,” he added, chuckling.