With the Broncos’ season in freefall, the pressure gauge has turned up on Michael Maguire and it’s led to one pundit suggesting a shock club should put in a call to Brisbane to ascertain Maguire’s status.
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After six straight defeats, the Broncos need a minor miracle to make the eight, in what has been a stunning fall from grace the season after winning the comp.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has publicly backed Maguire in recent days, with the coach under contract with the club until the end of 2027.
Journalist Brent Read expects Maguire to keep his job to start next season no matter where the Broncos finish on the ladder his year, but believes the pressure will be on if this season continues to go south.
“He won a comp last year so he’s probably secure for the time being, but if he finishes the year in 16th, no coach is secure,” Read said on NRL360.
“Look at Kev Walters. I mean, he (was sacked in 2024) the year after making a grand final.
“The Broncos are going to back him now and give him every chance. He’ll start next season in charge but if things don’t turn around, he’ll start next year under immense pressure as it’s the last year of his deal.”
‘I won’t write Broncos off…yet’ | 00:42
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Given Maguire ended a 19-year premiership drought in his first season at the helm, you’d think he is as secure as any other coach in the comp. But the Broncos are a proud franchise and failure isn’t tolerated.
Case in point, Kevin Walters was sacked not even 12 months after leading the Broncos to the 2023 decider.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie says Maguire should have credit in the bank while blasting the short leashes some coaches are placed on.
“He’s won a premiership so surely that’s given him some brownie points. But I’d imagine by Round 10 to 12 they will take stock of where they’re at,” Ritchie said.
“This is the problem I have with rugby league these days and it’s a heavy beef I have and that we jump on coaches’ backs way too early. This bloke won a comp in September.
“I know it’s been a poor year but I don’t think we should be talking about a premiership winning coach (being axed) a year later.”
As it stands, there are just two clubs without a head coach under contract beyond this season.
The Cowboys are one, although rumblings suggest the club will lock down Todd Payten in the coming weeks.
The other is the Dragons, who have Dean Young employed on an interim basis.
Read floated a stunning hypothetical, urging the Dragons to make an enquiry with Brisbane.
“This isn’t likely to happen, but if I’m the Dragons, I pick up the phone and make a phone call (to Madge) just to find out where the situation lies,” Read said.
Brisbane have a much-needed bye this weekend before a tricky task against the Roosters Friday week.