Michael Maguire’s tenure as the coach of the Brisbane Broncos was marked by a significant cultural shift within the club, culminating in their stunning NRL premiership victory. Darren Lockyer, a revered figure in rugby league, has unveiled a little-known strategy employed by Maguire that underscores his innovative approach, contrasting with his reputation for rigorous coaching methods.
Much attention has been paid to Maguire’s intense pre-season regimen, which included a notorious boot camp and reports of players needing “spew buckets.” Brisbane’s Patrick Carrigan recently disclosed that these sessions, held at the start of 2025, were even more grueling than reported. However, he acknowledged that they fostered a resilience within the team that was crucial to their championship success.
The Broncos were arguably the fittest team in the league, as demonstrated by their come-from-behind victories in all three finals games, including a dramatic 94-minute golden point win against Canberra. Yet, according to Brisbane legend Lockyer, a behind-the-scenes move involving Broncos great Alex Glenn played a pivotal role in their finals performance.
Alex Glenn’s Impact and Maguire’s Strategic Move
Central to Maguire’s strategy was the involvement of Alex Glenn, a Broncos stalwart, as a motivational figure for the players. Glenn, with his 288-game experience, was instrumental in energizing the team and the crowd during crucial moments. Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER program, host Adam Jackson highlighted Glenn’s presence at Suncorp Stadium, where he was often heard on the PA system and seen supporting captain Adam Reynolds during a critical match-winning conversion against Penrith in the preliminary final.
Jackson explained that Maguire was the driving force behind Glenn’s role in Brisbane’s triumphant prelim final against the Panthers. “At one point (in the Penrith game) he sent a message down to Thommo (Troy Thomson) his football manager and said ‘tell Alex Glenn to get up and about’ to gee up the crowd,” he recounted.
Darren Lockyer Unveils Maguire’s Tactical Masterstroke
Brisbane board member Darren Lockyer further revealed that Maguire’s plan to involve Glenn was conceived as early as round 16, during a match against Cronulla. Trailing 22-6, the atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium was subdued until Glenn’s efforts rallied the fans, spurring the Broncos to a 34-28 comeback victory. Maguire later credited the crowd’s energy as a significant factor in the win.
“We were significantly behind and the crowd started making a bit of noise and they came back and won the game,” Lockyer shared. “And Madge said in the press conference that played its part in the team winning that day. Ever since then, at the back end of the year there’s been this deliberate thing with Alex Glenn to get the crowd pumped up and it works.”
Historical Context and Emotional Resonance
Alex Glenn’s involvement carried emotional weight, given his history with the Broncos. He was part of the team during their heartbreaking golden point loss to North Queensland in the 2015 grand final and was also a member of the 2020 squad that received the first wooden spoon in the club’s history. His connection to the team and its past struggles added a layer of poignancy to Brisbane’s 19-year premiership drought-ending victory.
Glenn expressed his joy on social media, sharing a photo of Ben Hunt with the Provan-Summons Trophy after the grand final win. “Can’t even put into words how much joy this picture brings me,” he wrote. “We started our journey together back in 07 and we were just young boys who had a dream. The journey was never an easy one for us, we lost two grand finals both in golden point and had to overcome a lot of adversity and resilience to continue to do what we do…”
“Then last night happened. I wasn’t out there on the field physically playing, but you were Dozer, and you may have or may not have known but all us boys from the start and especially our 2015 team were there with you the whole way, and to see you hold this trophy up had tears falling down my face. You deserved every bit of this and to do it at the club we both love to our core is a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
Implications and Future Prospects
The Broncos’ success under Maguire’s leadership and the strategic use of Alex Glenn as a motivational figure highlight the importance of innovative coaching and the power of emotional connections in sports. As the Broncos look to build on their recent triumph, the lessons learned from this season’s journey will undoubtedly shape their approach in the years to come.
With the NRL landscape continually evolving, the Broncos’ ability to adapt and leverage both physical and psychological strategies will be crucial as they aim to maintain their competitive edge and continue their winning ways.
