Three Maroons legends have backed Broncos coach Michael Maguire to bring the best out of Reece Walsh this season, with one going as far as claiming the new coach can lead them to grand final glory. Brisbane have not won an NRL premiership since 2006 and the club’s decision to replace former coach Kevin Walters with Maguire was initially met with plenty of opposition in Queensland, off the back of his Origin series triumph with the Blues.
Much of that sentiment looks to have shifted as ‘Madge’ goes about changing the culture at the Broncos and instilling a hard-working attitude that was lacking in 2024 as the team finished 12th. Maguire has been putting the Brisbane squad through a brutal pre-season that included a military-style camp and Maroons great Billy Moore says the side looks to have a harder edge about it heading into the new season.
The former Maroons lock reckons a number of Broncos players – including Walsh – are primed for the best season they’ve had in a while and thinks the superstar No.1 will learn to be more patient under Maguire. The fullback is one of the most exciting players in the NRL but has been guilty of making frequent errors after trying to do too much himself on the field for Brisbane.
But Moore and fellow Maroons great Chris Close believe the signing of veteran playmaker Ben Hunt – who is set to play in the halves alongside skipper Adam Reynolds – will take some of the burden off Walsh and allow him to shine in 2025. And Close believes the appointment of Maguire as coach can transform the Broncos into premiership contenders this year.
“The players need to find a combination with Ben Hunt and they need Adam Reynolds to stay on the park,” Close told The Courier Mail. “If they don’t, it will be tough for them, but I think they have the manpower and the coach to win the premiership.”
Close admits that Walsh has been “impetuous” at times, particularly in attack for the Broncos, but pointed to the fact the 22-year-old is still maturing and learning his craft. Close says the superstar No.1’s speed and attacking threat can’t be underestimated and has backed Maguire to help Walsh harness his undoubted strengths and oversee a much improved Brisbane side in 2025.