THE BOSS Maguire Stomped The Naysayers! But...8 Months Later, Here We Are.

[Morkel]

Are you only allowed one fast guy? And how many years now has back row been an issue? Three? With a guy who yeah he’s a gun when he plays but is out as often as in with Piakura.

One dependable middle who ironically due to medical issues is now questionnably dependable. Are you not allowed to have more?

We went into this season and last at least one middle and two backrowers short. And we aren’t producing them in droves either.

And while I like the potential of Poates and Verhoeven, neither looks super quick.

Why do we let Smoothy walk? Hetherington I understand we couldn’t do anything about so that’s not on the R&R team.

Mariner isn't the only fast guy. Walsh, Karapani, even Mam when he gets it right. But we are missing Mariner, which is why it appears we don't have enough.

Jensen isn't the only dependable middle. Haas and Carrigan are not only superstars but dependable, but we've generally had one or both out for extended periods. Willison is there too. It just appears like we don't have enough because Jensen + others are out.

We let Smoothy walk because we had plenty of hookers (too many for some) + Rogers, who I think has filled the role admirably in the times he has had to be a utility / makeshift middle.

We were/are well covered for a few injuries and scenarios. It's impossible to cover for 8-12 injuries at a time, which is what we have had, over an extended period. It's just the reality.

 

[Big Pete]

I think the "good value" contracts are usually the rookies/juniors that come through and you get first grade standard out of guys on rookie contracts until they need their upgrade.

Unfortunately that's the spot where it's lacking as the "good value" contracts you want going to rookies is going to scraps from other teams.

BTK has provided 5 games from 2-3 years of top 30 games.

Mozer hasnt been getting selected, mostly due to injuries, but is there a plan to get him back in... and is he unseating Bhunt or Paix?... I think he should be but will Madge make the call.

Then you have guys like Jhunt, Tawha, Talty, Gos, Hoeter, Priki, Rogers, Perham, etc. taking up Top 30 contracts where it's like "could we seriously not find a junior that can outperform these guys".

If Madge doesnt want to use Jhunt, then why not give that contract to Jett??

That's probably my issue... why have guys on Top 30 contracts that the coach clearly doesn't want to use.

I just named 8 guys on Top 30 contracts... that's almost a third of the available contracts and does the coach even want to select them

Like you wrote the other week when it came to players like Gosiewski, J. Hunt, Hoeter etc. it seemed like Madge kept them on out of convenience. I'm sure he could have signed for argument's sake Adam Christensen, Harrison Edwards, Kane Bradley etc. but would it actually improve things?

Not sure what the deal is with Bryce. Was under the impression during the 2025 trials that he was in the mix. He was OK in the juniors but probably not playing to an NRL standard. He's taken another step this year for Burleigh so he could be a decent bench option if the Broncos want to trial some players heading into '27.

 

[Wolfie]

I think the "good value" contracts are usually the rookies/juniors that come through and you get first grade standard out of guys on rookie contracts until they need their upgrade.

Unfortunately that's the spot where it's lacking as the "good value" contracts you want going to rookies is going to scraps from other teams.

BTK has provided 5 games from 2-3 years of top 30 contracts.

Mozer hasnt been getting selected, mostly due to injuries, but is there a plan to get him back in... and is he unseating Bhunt or Paix?... I think he should be but will Madge make the call.

Then you have guys like Jhunt, Tawha, Talty, Gos, Hoeter, Priki, Rogers, Perham, etc. taking up Top 30 contracts where it's like "could we seriously not find a junior that can outperform these guys".

If Madge doesnt want to use Jhunt, then why not give that contract to Jett??

That's probably my issue... why have guys on Top 30 contracts that the coach clearly doesn't want to use.

I just named 8 guys on Top 30 contracts... that's almost a third of the available contracts and does the coach even want to select them

I know sometimes i'm harsh on players, but its just how i am. I have a level of expectation, i like to see hard work and players doing the little things over the flashier players.

 

[Big Pete]

When you pay a bloke like Walsh so much money, i think its fair to expect more than one outstanding run of form and a premiership. I just always have the expectation we should have higher standards.

I dont disagree, we took a short term option to win a premiership. If we want sustained success, we need to be better in every department.

Walsh is here until 2029, still has plenty of time left and one bad run of form where he's come back early from a eye socket fracture doesn't un-do the premiership.

To me the comparison here is Tuaupiki. Brisbane could have signed him but would they be better off in the long run? I don't think so, even if Taine has out-played Walsh so far this year.

 

[Wolfie]

Walsh is here until 2029, still has plenty of time left and one bad run of form where he's come back early from a eye socket fracture doesn't un-do the premiership.

To me the comparison here is Tuaupiki. Brisbane could have signed him but would they be better off in the long run? I don't think so, even if Taine has out-played Walsh so far this year.

It doesnt, but then again, i've never thought Reece is worth the money he is on anyway but he isnt the only one i think that of either.

But regardless, i still think we pay too much money for players based on potential or reputation, and thats why i think we are in the state we are right now. Injuries have decimated us, no side could cope with what we have had, but there is no doubt in my mind if we had managed this roster better we wouldnt have just lost 6 straight.

We dont share the same view on this so we will have to agree to differ mate!

 

[Strop]

Walsh being worth the money on the field is debatable, but Walsh being worth the money to the club as a whole isn’t. His value in sponsorship, marketing, membership and club exposure would be enormous. The club being a massive business, this unfortunately would be their justification of his enormous wage, all at the expense of team balance and depth.

 

[Big Pete]

It doesnt, but then again, i've never thought Reece is worth the money he is on anyway but he isnt the only one i think that of either.

But regardless, i still think we pay too much money for players based on potential or reputation, and thats why i think we are in the state we are right now. Injuries have decimated us, no side could cope with what we have had, but there is no doubt in my mind if we had managed this roster better we wouldnt have just lost 6 straight.

We dont share the same view on this so we will have to agree to differ mate!

Sure agree to disagree but I don't think it's constructive to say players aren't providing value and then come up with zero alternatives.

Even some comparisons would have been useful.

Otherwise it's like what I said about signing players who can score more points than they give up who never got injured and guaranteed wins.

What world are we living in here where a coach can just sack his squad and do that?

Yes, I'd rather cop six straight losses and win a premiership than never have won the premiership at all. Am I crazy? What is going on here?

 

[BroncsFan]

Like you wrote the other week when it came to players like Gosiewski, J. Hunt, Hoeter etc. it seemed like Madge kept them on out of convenience. I'm sure he could have signed for argument's sake Adam Christensen, Harrison Edwards, Kane Bradley etc. but would it actually improve things?

Not sure what the deal is with Bryce. Was under the impression during the 2025 trials that he was in the mix. He was OK in the juniors but probably not playing to an NRL standard. He's taken another step this year for Burleigh so he could be a decent bench option if the Broncos want to trial some players heading into '27.

Not sure if they would be better, but they extended guys to kick the can down the road and we're now down the road.

When you look at the squad there are a lot of guys in it that Madge doesnt seem to think are first grade material... that's a big issue.

There's guys that have gone one year too long and it's hard to drop a 350 gamer... especially when it's one that wants to play on next year.

I think Madge is backed into a corner at the moment... like what has been said this squad has achieved what it set out to do and won a comp.

Now it's time to move on from them and shape the team to what Madge wants so that squad can head off to win a premiership.

Reyno, Haas and Anderson are already confirmed as leaving.

Bhunt should retire or play elsewhere (Madge is compromising himself by keeping him around the squad next year)

Let walk Shiba, Jesse, Gos, Jhunt and Hoeter... probably let Rogers walk as well (always there as a T&T if needed)... Perham is 50/50 not so much because he's bad or anything, but is there a young fullback coming through to use that spot

Tawha is a Madge decision... did he bring him in or was it Teo

BTK is one foot out the door already

That's a lot of guys that could be moved on, but there's a lack of movement or noise in R&R to replace these guys.

Are they planning to just kick the can down the road again and extend a bunch of guys that Madge doesnt rate

 

[Bucking Beads]

When you pay a bloke like Walsh so much money, i think its fair to expect more than one outstanding run of form and a premiership. I just always have the expectation we should have higher standards.

I dont disagree, we took a short term option to win a premiership. If we want sustained success, we need to be better in every department.

He was pretty mint in 20203 while he was getting paid a pretty low rate IIRC.

I do mostly agree though. He needs to be so much more consistent.

 

[Allo]

I don’t think you can Moneyball a team as effectively these days.

More teams and more coverage means you can’t hide guys anymore, and they have more options over just being a squad player

End of the day, a 500k a season fullback isn’t doing what Walsh did last year, and that’s (mostly) why he’s getting paid the big bucks, and when that’s winning you premierships, it’s obviously worth it.

But we have a lot of dead weight and not-NRL standard that we need to clean out. However for every good major signing we make, there’s another 2 we miss the boat on and we get stuck with sub-par depth

 

[BroncsFan]

He was pretty mint in 20203 while he was getting paid a pretty low rate IIRC.

I do mostly agree though. He needs to be so much more consistent.

I feel like the team is fighting two different battles in attack... I cant point to a clear style of play... it changes game to game or even within games.

Reyno plays a very structured game manager style whereas Reece plays a very heads up style.

Reece wants the ball every tackle and doesnt really know what he's going to do with it... he just wants it

I think Reynolds plays different with and without Reece. With Reece he has to set something up to get him the ball, whether it's the right time or not, he has to revolve the play and set of six around getting him the ball at some point.

When Reece isnt there he can conduct the attack how ever he wants and has time because the ball needs to be in his hands.

When Reece is playing he has authority to do what he wants.. first receiver, blind sides, 40/20's, etc... I think this is the style we are playing whether Reece has Reyno or not. Reyno has to change his tempo to get the ball to Reece... even if there's nothing on.

We're playing two very different styles based on whether Reece plays or not, whether Reynolds is there or not... it would be very difficult for the supporting players to play two different styles especially when the two key guys have been in and out of the team all year... there's no consistency for them to work from.

I dont know if it will be better or worse next year when it's Reece on his own, but the style he plays at Broncos revolves everything around 1 player, so the broncos as a whole will live or die based entirely around the form of one player.

That doesnt sound like a great recipe for success to me

 

[Wolfie]

Sure agree to disagree but I don't think it's constructive to say players aren't providing value and then come up with zero alternatives.

Even some comparisons would have been useful.

Otherwise it's like what I said about signing players who can score more points than they give up who never got injured and guaranteed wins.

What world are we living in here where a coach can just sack his squad and do that?

Yes, I'd rather cop six straight losses and win a premiership than never have won the premiership at all. Am I crazy? What is going on here?

I dont watch enough footy these days to provide alternatives so it would be a bit futile me doing that. 3 or 4 years ago, i would have had no issues. Unless you are talking about getting better value out of a different 6 to Mam or a different fullback to Walsh to save us some money to free up cap space elsewhere. I just dont believe for a second somebody paid to look for players couldnt find some alternatives.

Again though this for me is more about how we have ended up here rather than what we have now.

As for the premiership, its great to win one, but it should be a platform to build on. I dont expect to win every year, but i expect top 4.

 

[Wolfie]

He was pretty mint in 20203 while he was getting paid a pretty low rate IIRC.

I do mostly agree though. He needs to be so much more consistent.

I know i'm overly harsh sometimes, but i do expect when you pay a player top money, they need to be the finished article. I get not everyone shares that opinion though.

 

[Big Pete]

I dont watch enough footy these days to provide alternatives so it would be a bit futile me doing that. 3 or 4 years ago, i would have had no issues. Unless you are talking about getting better value out of a different 6 to Mam or a different fullback to Walsh to save us some money to free up cap space elsewhere. I just dont believe for a second somebody paid to look for players couldnt find some alternatives.

Again though this for me is more about how we have ended up here rather than what we have now.

As for the premiership, its great to win one, but it should be a platform to build on. I dont expect to win every year, but i expect top 4.

Names Wolfie. Otherwise we're contending with figments of your imagination.

I don't think you can have your cake and eat it as well. With Penrith in the mix, you either snag a premiership like the Broncos did or you end up an eternal bridesmaid like Cronulla.

Maybe I'd be harsh as well but after watching Melbourne struggle nobody is safe in this competition.

 

[broncos4life]

Madge has to be taken some responsibility for where we're at as a team. The Recruitment and Retention team also needs to be cleared out. 2025 was a miracle. We've been bad way more than we've been good under Madge and Kevvie.

2025 wasn't a miracle and that is so reductive of what the team achieved last year. The R & R is fine, the issue is the players we need we have but they are all injured. It is so ridiculously hard to win a premiership and maintain it in the following years, Penrith are the complete exception and have made everyone think that is what happens. The only really ****ed decisions are keeping Reyno and Hunt this year but logically when they sad the wanted to go around again our hands were tied. It would be a ****ing shit look to turn to your captain after we have won the premiership and say nah.

 

[Aldo]

I feel the way the game is played now, the difference between a team's best and their worst is compounded massively on the scoreboard. A drop of even 1 or 2% in effort can equate to a blowout scoreline of 30+ very quickly. As Big Pete says, nowhere to hide.

As others have mentioned, asking our bench to step up and take over starting roles over an extended time has hurt us. We were able to stick solid for a few games but it's just come back and is killing us now.

Agree with everything said above. Madge needs to own the squad makeup now. He's been here for two years so needs to start shaping the squad how he wants. Get rid of the guys he isn't using or doesn't trust and bring in fresh meat.

 

[broncos4life]

Premierships are so hard to win and we won one just last year. We went all in and that and the injuries have cruelled us this year but at the end of the day winning the premiership is all that matters. I would happily lose every game for the next 5 years to win a premiership. Not everyone can be The Panthers (and I still think that somewhere down the track we will find the real reason they were able to achieve the impossible) but that aside in this competition these days you assemble a squad to try and win a premiership and pay the price for the next few years, or you are The Sharks.

 

[Battler]

When you pay a bloke like Walsh so much money, i think its fair to expect more than one outstanding run of form and a premiership. I just always have the expectation we should have higher standards.

I dont disagree, we took a short term option to win a premiership. If we want sustained success, we need to be better in every department.

The storm are paying Grant a shit load of money and he's delivered them 0 premierships. KP, Hynes, Moses, Trell, etc have all delivered their teams 0 comps as well.

Walsh will win us more than one comp before he retires. He's still only 23 years old