Michael Maguire has extended an olive branch to Brisbane’s old boys – including Gorden Tallis – on his first day as Broncos coach.
The whirlwind week at Red Hill has left some former players perplexed, after club icon Kevin Walters was suddenly sacked following a review into their dismal 2024 NRL campaign.
Tallis has been the most vocal but former teammate Shane Webcke also unloaded on the Broncos for their handling of the situation.
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The appointment of Maguire is intriguing given he was the NSW Blues coach before being released on Monday, and he was the target of ongoing verbal attacks from Tallis during this year’s State of Origin campaign.
Amid a bitter running war of words – albeit which was one-sided – Tallis chastised Maguire’s playing career and also claimed he was a failed coach, despite winning an NRL premiership with South Sydney, a Pacific Championships with New Zealand, and now an Origin series with the Blues.
On Monday Tallis doubled down on his criticism of Maguire’s record, claiming he was no better a coach than Walters – the latter of which won two of his four Origin series as coach of Queensland and only made NRL finals once in four goes as Broncos boss.
Maguire fronted Brisbane media on Tuesday for his first appearance in a Broncos shirt, and was asked directly if he planned on breaking bread with Tallis.
”I’ll talk to Gordie,” he said.
“I’ve had a number of laughs with Gordie throughout the Origin campaign… gives him something to talk about.”
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While Tallis is a Broncos great he now works as a Titans ambassador, and on Monday told Maguire to “lose my number brother” because he has no interest in helping his former club.
Maguire was asked more broadly about how he would cope with the chorus of Broncos old boys who are arguably the most influential of any former playing group in the NRL.
In his Monday column for Wide World of Sports, Paul Gallen conceded Maguire faced a “hostile” reception in the Queensland capital but says it will get better once he starts winning games.
“Happy for them to have their opinions,” Maguire said.
“I’ll talk to both those guys (Tallis and Webcke), I’m happy to talk to anyone.
“Everyone has got their own opinions, but ultimately at the end of the day we’re about making sure we have a really great performance on the field so they become proud of that.
“They’ve been able to put history in this organisation but it’s about this current crop of players creating their own now.”
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy was not surprised by the animosity from former players following Walters being sacked.
“When these things happen there is a lot of emotion, a lot of reaction,” Donaghy said on Tuesday.
“It’s all a normal process to go through and I’d be disappointed if they didn’t have that type of reaction given the connection those guys have. I’d be shocked if it was anything else.
“I hope in the fullness of time ultimately we’re one club and everyone has a really strong connection to that… everyone wants to see the club succeed.”
Maguire said he has not yet had the chance to consider his coaching staff for next season.
Trent Barrett had been hired as an assistant to Walters but now faces an uncertain future, while club legend Alfie Langer is reportedly considering walking away and following his close friend Walters into the wilderness.
Maguire sounds keen to work with Langer if the latter wishes to stay put.
”I’ve got to talk to Alf,” Maguire said.
“I really like Alf, I’ve spent a fair bit of time with Alf. We all like Alf.
“I’ve got to see what he wants to do with himself and work out where he fits in, so I’ll have those conversations with Alf.”
One thing is for certain – Maguire has no plans to rebuild the Broncos, and says he is shooting for success straight away with a playing group that narrowly lost last year’s grand final.
“I’m extremely hungry to win another competition, extremely hungry,” he said.
“I’m not going to put a timeline on it, but I’m in a rush. Like all of us, we all want to have success.”