Michael Maguire’s brutal pre-season regime was heavily criticised during Brisbane’s 2025 premiership campaign and Pat Carrigan has revealed it was “worse” than initially reported.
Broncos players were spotted spewing into buckets early in Maguire’s tenure, with the former Rabbitohs and Tigers coach pushing his players after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
While pundits were sceptical of those methods, so too was veteran enforcer Martin Taupau who was sacked after liking a post from former Tigers star Elijah Taylor.
Watch Every game LIVE on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Taylor took to Instagram to explain he was “hardly home” and struggled after his “hardest pre-season” he ever took part in, which Taupau supported before issuing an apology.
Despite the controversy, the Broncos broke a 19-year premiership drought with a 26-22 win over the Storm in the grand final.
Speaking after that win, Carrigan was asked if Maguire’s pre-season schedule was as tough as initially reported.
“Worse, worse,” Carrigan said.
“Mate, he’s tough but fair. We all come to work each day and we sign up to get better. He’s a big part of why we’re here.
Martin Taupau sweats it out during pre season training with the Broncos at Red Hill. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
“That foundation that you build in conditioning and all the days that we had sore bodies and he was throwing us in the wrestle room, and those sort of things.
“Obviously it took some time to gel and people were critical of that.
“But I think deep down we knew that once we could get into it, if we could get a bit of a flow footy of what we like to do then we could be a chance.”
Back rower Jordan Riki echoed his teammate’s opinion and labelled the training regimen “nuts”, despite having previously spent time under Maguire for New Zealand.
“I had a bit to do with Madge on the international stage. I heard some rumours about his pre-seasons and there were a few nervous faces on day one,” he said.
Aussie sides cruise past PNG | 02:27
MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS
CRAWLS: Five NRL contenders for history-making Aussie; bolter Kevvie MUST pick
KANGAROOS VERDICT: Major backline overhaul as halves headache solved
IN DOUBT: Broncos’ WCC bid in doubt as Hull KR win throws Vegas spanner in works
“I came back a bit later and a few of the other boys were like ‘oh man you don’t know what you’re in for’. Sure enough on day one I was like ‘oh wow’.
“That’s the Madge effect, I guess. It works, hey? Look at it, we bloody won.”
Maguire’s efforts in ensuring his team were at peak fitness paid off to close out the year, coming back from a 22-12 deficit in the first half of the grand final.
The Broncos also delivered comeback victories over the Raiders and Panthers on their road to the end-of-season spectacle.