Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has expressed confidence in his team’s potential as they prepare for a crucial grand-final qualifier against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Maguire confirmed that the Broncos will field a full-strength side, dismissing concerns about the readiness of key players returning from injury.
Maguire’s decision to include Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, and Xavier Willison, who have each been sidelined for at least seven weeks, has raised eyebrows. However, the coach is adamant that their inclusion is not a gamble. “It’s no gamble for me,” Maguire stated. “I know the players intimately and I know their game inside out.”
The Broncos’ Remarkable Turnaround
When Maguire took the helm at the Broncos in November last year, he was eager to restore the club to its former glory. Despite a challenging start to the season, where the team found themselves in 11th place after round 13, the Broncos have surged back with 11 wins from their last 13 matches. This impressive streak has positioned them on the brink of their second grand final in three years.
Maguire’s ambition was clear from the outset. “I felt coming to a club like this, definitely,” he said, reflecting on his initial expectations. “You don’t know timelines. Did I believe in the players I was coming to coach? Well and truly.”
Strategic Player Returns
The return of five-eighth Mam, captain and No.7 Reynolds, and bench prop Willison is a strategic move by Maguire. Mam and Reynolds have been recovering from hamstring injuries, while Willison has healed from a broken forearm. Maguire is confident that their return will bolster the team’s performance.
“We will inject him at the right time when we feel it’s needed,” Maguire said of Mam, who is set to come off the bench. “I know the boys enjoy having him back in the team.”
The coach also highlighted the effective partnership between Ben Hunt and star fullback Reece Walsh, which has flourished in Reynolds’ absence. Maguire dismissed concerns about the Reynolds-Walsh combination, calling it “a lot of outside noise.”
“My memories are of Reyno and Reece doing some really good things over a long period of time,” Maguire noted. “They have had plenty of experience working together and they have trained really well this week and last week, so the combination is definitely there.”
Looking Ahead
As the Broncos prepare for their showdown with Penrith, the team is focused on capitalizing on their momentum. Maguire’s belief in his squad’s potential is unwavering, and he sees this match as an opportunity to demonstrate their growth.
Meanwhile, in other NRL news, Storm star Trent Loeiro was the only player charged from Friday night’s preliminary final win over Cronulla. Loeiro was reported for a tackle that resulted in a grade 1 dangerous contact charge, but he will be free to play in the grand final after accepting a fine.
The Broncos’ journey under Maguire’s leadership has been one of resilience and determination. As they stand on the cusp of another grand final appearance, the team is poised to prove that their best is yet to come.
