“Trust in the process”: Parker responds to criticism over Maguire's pre-season boot camp

SEN’s Corey Parker has responded to claims that Michael Maguire’s pre-season camp for the Brisbane Broncos is too excessive.

Veteran rugby league journalist Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield has criticised Maguire for subjecting his players to what he believes are outdated boot camps. Rothfield fears that Broncos players will suffer burnout midway through the regular season after enduring a physically demanding pre-season.

Parker, who played 347 games for the Broncos, vehemently disagreed with Rothfield and firmly believes the Broncos needed a reality check after an underwhelming 2024 season.

“You can’t win a competition in January,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“However, you can certainly lose a competition in January. The Broncos players are highly paid athletes and ultimately, (a boot camp) is just training. You are paid to train.

“The Broncos needed a circuit breaker and they got it in Michael Maguire. He’s fair and he understands you need to work hard but also cares about the individual.

“Change does get the eyebrows raised but you will adapt. Sustained success comes from working hard.

“This is the only thing during the pre-season that will have you battle hardened and ready for the year.

“It’s all about testing the team on how they collectively react as a group, how they react as individuals and then, you start to peel back the character on the players you have in your group.

“The proof is in the pudding and that’s when shots are being fired whilst you're on the playing field over a 27 round marathon season.

“If you want what you got last year, continue to do the same thing. It’s the definition of insanity.

“Trust in the process. Maguire is a winner. He’s won in the NRL, Super League, on the international stage and in State of Origin. No other coach has done that.

“If you’re not happy as a player about the camp, then there’s the door.”

The Broncos travel to Allianz Stadium in Round 1 to take on the Sydney Roosters.

SEN

 

[BroncsFan]

Wait am I agreeing with something Corey Parker is saying... and if I didn't then I'd be agreeing with Buzzed

 

[Allo]

Can we ban Corey Parker threads.

I don’t think there’s anyone’s opinion I care less about

 

[Wolfie]

Cant stand Parker but he is right in that we have to trust what Madge is doing. You bring in any coach, you have to back his methods and see if they work.

 

[theshed]

Parker is a bit of a stooge but I find he usually makes a lot of sense it what he says.

Far better than some others in the media

 

[Harry Sack]

Wait am I agreeing with something Corey Parker is saying... and if I didn't then I'd be agreeing with Buzzed

Bloody Buzz. You just know someone overheard a couple of the players talking about how tough the training has been and Buzz has just blown that up as much as he could.

 

[davidp]

I feel dirty agreeing with Parker

 

[Foordy]

the last thing Slothfield "fears" in this world is us burning out mid season

 

[KateBroncos1812]

Met Corey Parker is a meh dude. He had to be on his best behaviour 2 years ago

 

[Old Mate]

Can’t help but feel like circuit breaker is probably the wrong word used by Corey here but he’s made a good point here.

 

[BroncsFan]

Bloody Buzz. You just know someone overheard a couple of the players talking about how tough the training has been and Buzz has just blown that up as much as he could.

I think they were also "complaining" about a tough preseason in 2023 and look where that got them. I think Parker is right when he says you can't win a comp in January, but you can lose one, and I think that's the biggest thing that happened in 2024.

I can't see complaining coming from anyone in the core group of the team though... Walsh, Patty and Haas will all be well aware that a tough preseason is required to build fitness and give the best chance for success, and those guys are keen to cement their place in history knowing a premiership is what's needed to do that.

They don't seem like guys that just want to turn up for the paycheck.

Reyno and Bhunt will have been through all of it before and also know that preseason is key... although Bhunt has basically missed half the preseason due to international duties.

You've got the hard working toilers who won't be complaining like Kobe, Jensen, Billy, Gos, Hunt, Hoeter, Smoothy, etc.

Mozer has apparently been leading fitness drills and Paix has been backed by his coach when it was looking like he was out the door.

I believe Willison re-signed under Madge?? so I can't see him doing that and then complaining about it.

Walsh and Patty are then good mates with guys like Piakura and others in the GC crew (Arthars, etc.), so if Walsh and Patty know what's needed then they would be bringing them into line.

Other guys are then young and just starting out like Mariner, Coby, BTK, etc.

So beyond that who would it even be that's complaining...