Michael Maguire\u2019s brutal pre-season regime was heavily criticised during Brisbane\u2019s 2025 premiership campaign and Pat Carrigan has revealed it was \u201cworse\u201d than initially reported.<\/p>\n
Broncos players were spotted spewing into buckets early in Maguire\u2019s tenure, with the former Rabbitohs and Tigers coach pushing his players after a disappointing 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Watch Every game LIVE on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Taylor took to Instagram to explain he was \u201chardly home\u201d and struggled after his \u201chardest pre-season\u201d he ever took part in, which Taupau supported before issuing an apology.<\/p>\n Despite the controversy, the Broncos broke a 19-year premiership drought with a 26-22 win over the Storm in the grand final.<\/p>\n Speaking after that win, Carrigan was asked if Maguire\u2019s pre-season schedule was as tough as initially reported.<\/p>\n \u201cWorse, worse,\u201d Carrigan said.<\/p>\n \u201cMate, he\u2019s tough but fair. We all come to work each day and we sign up to get better. He\u2019s a big part of why we\u2019re here.<\/p>\n Martin Taupau sweats it out during pre season training with the Broncos at Red Hill. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n \u201cThat 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.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously it took some time to gel and people were critical of that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Back rower Jordan Riki echoed his teammate\u2019s opinion and labelled the training regimen \u201cnuts\u201d, despite having previously spent time under Maguire for New Zealand.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Aussie sides cruise past PNG | 02:27<\/p>\n MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Five NRL contenders for history-making Aussie; bolter Kevvie MUST pick<\/a><\/p>\n KANGAROOS VERDICT: Major backline overhaul as halves headache solved <\/a><\/p>\n