Michael Maguire reveals truth about claims Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan could be forced to move
A number of Broncos players and their families live a good distance from the Brisbane headquarters.
New Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has not ruled out the likes of Reece Walsh and Patrick Carrigan potentially moving closer to the Broncos headquarters for the new NRL season. At the end of the 2024 season Kevin Walters was axed from the head coach role after the club missed out on NRL finals and a review took place of the issues at the club.
There were talks about standards slipping in Brisbane with Walsh at the centre of some suggestions the dressing room was full of 'rockstars'. This week, Payne Haas alluded to changes that were needed at the Broncos with pre-season already looking different. And Broncos hierarchy have reportedly become concerned about their superstars spending close to 90 minutes travelling from the Gold Coast to training every day.
And according to the Courier Mail, Broncos officials have held discussions about whether players should be forced to live closer to Brisbane, amid fears the travel is taking too much of a toll on their preparation. The reports come after the Broncos finished 12th in 2024 having made the NRL grand final in 2023.
According to the report, some players have asked to leave training early in the past in a bid to beat peak-hour traffic while travelling back to the Gold Coast. Haas used to live on the Gold Coast, but moved closer to Red Hill recently due to the travel.
And Maguire has been pressed about the issue and whether it was a priority being addressed at the club. The new coach admitted he would speak to the players about whether this was impacting their performances, but didn't want to make any calls only three weeks into pre-season training.
"Look, I will talk to the players about what is best for their performance. There the things you have to look at. Sometimes where they are right now, might be the right idea. But I am going to have a chat to the players and find out how they best get their bodies in their best state," Maguire said on Triple M Radio.
"That is part and parcel of making sure you build a good environment so you are at your best each week. I will talk to the players about that." When pressed on the situation, Maguire did add team culture was a very important part of his ethos and he would be addressing the situation.
"What I will say, it is important to be able to spend a lot of time with your teammates. You only have a short period of time to actually do that. You have to capture that very quickly," he said of suggeestions the players are too far away from the club. While Maguire said he would speak to the players, there is still no suggestion they will have to move closer to the club to cut down the commute time before training.
Corey Parker slaps down Reece Walsh suggestions
While Maguire has already put his stamp on pre-season training, Broncos legend Corey Parker does not see an issue with a players living situation. Speaking on the dilemma, Parker claimed he lived on the Gold Coast for the majority of his career at Brisbane and didn't have a problem.
RELATED:
Jarome Luai detail amid massive Terrell May development at Tigers
Adam Reynolds cops crushing blow in shock call on Broncos captaincy
“My personal view is live wherever you want, who cares?” Parker said. “Why would it matter? If it’s impacting the team and their performance, then you might have to look at it.
“Some people might want to live on the Gold Coast and I don’t mind that. (Former captain) Alex Glenn lived on the Goldy for a long time and he was a great professional. You have to make sure you are performing and doing your job as a professional. I don’t see why it should be an issue for the Broncos.”
Michael Maguire reshapes Broncos training standards
Many of the players already knew what to expect with Maguire taking over the club with his ethic of hard work a pillar of his regime. The players have already been put through some gruelling workouts from Maguire's support staff, which included switching between sprints, wrestling and skills-focused drills in the increasingly warmer Brisbane heat.
Maguire's first few weeks as Broncos coach have not been easy as he currently deals with the Ezra Mam controversy, while reshapping the current squad. Fortunately for Maguire, Walsh signed a new deal for the Broncos and will extend his stay for another four years. NRL greats have tipped Walsh and the Broncos to reach another level in 2025 under Maguire.
