Lets put this to bed: Madge was the right call over Kevie

[Professor47]

I know this debate has done the rounds as theres the staunch kevie supporters, but after the last fortnight I think we can finally close the book on it. Madge was the right call. Full stop.

There is just a different steel about this side since he took over. You can see it in the way they defend when their backs are against the wall. You can see it in how they respond when they go behind on the scoreboard. That was NEVER there with Kevie and in fact we would have blow-out defeats instead.

I've got nothing but love for Kevie, but there are games we simply do not win under his watch.
(i.e. The entire 2025 finals series).

Now look at what Madge has done just in the last two weeks. A red-hot Tigers side that came in full of confidence, and a Bulldogs outfit riding a wave of hype, and we got em. Look at the way we defend.

The proof is on the field, IMHO. Madge has this club heading in the right direction.

 

[tommy]

Kevvie has cte. Madge doesn’t. Right call all day long.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I'm still not sure this is even a discussion anymore.

Love Kevvie for everything he has done, but he was not the answer.

 

[MrTickyMcG]

I'm still not sure this is even a discussion anymore.

Love Kevvie for everything he has done, but he was not the answer.

I agree and disagree. Kevvie was the right call to hire and it was also the right call to
fire.

Kevvie realigned our culture, Madge fixed the footy.

Kevvie is a culture coach. Madge is a coach.

 

[BroncosFever]

We aren't where we are without Kevvie and we don't win the premiership without Madge. We were wooden spooners when Kev took over.

The roster Madge took over, was ready to win a comp. The roster Kevvie took over, wasn't.

 

[Santa]

I don't know why we have to pit the two against each other. They're both great and contributed to where we are now. Kevvie was the right choice, and so was Madge.

 

[Rally Towel]

It's all been said already but believe both Kev and Madge were the right appointments at the right time.

Bittersweet for Walters I'm sure, but give the man his flowers.

 

[mrslong]

 

[Bronco94]

Thing is, it was put to bed in the finals series, before the Grand Final.

They had loads of reasons to lose those games but didn’t. It was the ultimate mic drop from Madge to the “Kevvie coulda done it” crowd.

Every new victory is just another F-U to those that want to see us fail, but we’ll never get a concession out of the Rothfields an CONEHEAD’ of the worlds. Just enjoy the wins!

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

I think the only reason kevvie worked as coach was to shut the old Boys the **** up. It was what we needed at the time. The media pressure and bs was winning because they had evidence of us being shit. Madge came in back then, he would have copped it to an extreme level.

 

[Sproj]

Would Kevvie be doing as well as Maguire, no. So picking Maguire has proven to be the right choice.

What annoys me though is people pretending like Kevvie did nothing. He took the team to within 5 mins of beating arguably the best team ever. That is not nothing.

Most coaches in the game would kill to have been able to do that. Even Bellamy can’t do any better than that without Smith.

 

[KateBroncos1812]

The 2020s has been interesting. 2020 our first only wooden spoon. 2021 Kevvie came in to fix our crisis 2023 he leads us to our first grand final since 2015 then Madge comes in and breaks our premiership drought after 19 years. 3 different teams from 3 different years 2020, 2023 and 2025

 

[heartly87]

Kev is a good bloke who can't coach

I know this debate has done the rounds as theres the staunch kevie supporters, but after the last fortnight I think we can finally close the book on it. Madge was the right call. Full stop.

There is just a different steel about this side since he took over. You can see it in the way they defend when their backs are against the wall. You can see it in how they respond when they go behind on the scoreboard. That was NEVER there with Kevie and in fact we would have blow-out defeats instead.

I've got nothing but love for Kevie, but there are games we simply do not win under his watch.
(i.e. The entire 2025 finals series).

Now look at what Madge has done just in the last two weeks. A red-hot Tigers side that came in full of confidence, and a Bulldogs outfit riding a wave of hype, and we got em. Look at the way we defend.

The proof is on the field, IMHO. Madge has this club heading in the right direction.

Kev isn't a coach at all, he is good bloke that let the boy play and gave them some belief in themselves as an old legend. But the reality is that is all he can do, let the boys play.

Madge is proving his leadership and coaching chops every week. He was the right call last year when we were holding the shield over our heads haha. But I totally agree with you, if Kev was coaching with all these injuries our young guys would not be prepared like they were last night. Each back up did exactly what you wanted them to do. They made tackles and took runs, stayed within the obvious systems that are being coached and had belief that the top guys would ice the moments required to win the game.

The media hasn't clued on but what is occurring here is dare I say very Melbourne. We are place average guys are coming too and looking like much better products.

Madge is doing a wonderful job and I am praying he can keep this momentum. I would love another decade top coach.

 

[Aldo]

Kev got us competitive again and back on track. Madge has taken us another 5 levels though. Still a way to go but feels like we are becoming a true powerhouse again.

 

[BroncosFever]

Kev got us competitive again and back on track. Madge has taken us another 5 levels though. Still a way to go but feels like we are becoming a true powerhouse again.

If any other team cops the injuries we've copped and has to play (like we have the past 2 weeks), they get flogged.

That in itself is what the old Broncos were.

 

[Skathen]

Kev is a good bloke who can't coach

Kev isn't a coach at all, he is good bloke

I thought you were quoting Cobbo for a second there. haha

But seriously, Kev was exactly what this club needed post spoon. Fixed our culture. Cut some dick-heads. Instilled some values in these young blokes.

They failed in '23 because they lacked some tools in their kit, mental toughness, a hard edge that only comes through battle scars and predominantly fitness.

Kev was the cake, Madge was the frosting and toppings. Everyone comes for the frosting and toppings, but they ain't shit with out a decent cake to hold it together from the get go.

 

[Johnny92]

Both as important as each other IMO
Kev built the culture, he got these guys loving the club and showed them what a Bronco was all about.
I don't think Madge gets Reynolds here and read a story recently on how he stopped Piakura from going to the dogs.
What Kev built might win you one premiership (we nearly did) but it won't keep you at the top, you can only go for so long on talent and emotion.
Madge has came and brought everything needed to get to the top and stay there.
Kev had this group when they were younger and less mature and he was probably the perfect coach for that time, Madge has the group now where they are ready for what he brings.

You don't have Dynasties like what Penrith have achieved without the work both coaches have done.

 

[Brocko]

Not saying players didn't wanna play for Kev, but listening to Talty speak about his loyalty to the club and Madge for giving him a go and believing in him, and straight up saying he wouldn't wanna play for another coach is all I need to hear.

If it wasn't already clear, the players clearly love ripping in for each other and Madge. Its great to see.