The issue with Walters is that he'd run out of solutions. Going into 2025 the Broncos success hinged on three people Ben Hunt, Trent Barrett and Ben Te'o. It was a tough call, but time was running out on this squad and Brisbane had to make hay while the sun was shining.
Madge was coming off success with New Zealand and New South Wales. He was easily the best candidate and the Broncos made a ballsy decision. By rights, Kev deserved 2025 but he just didn't have the faith to get the job done.
Now Madge finds himself in a similar situation and while he's earned a reprieve after delivering a premiership he needs to build a stronger case for 2026. Losing Haas was a massive body blow and this deal with Pezet has not aged well at all.
The decision to sign Preston Riki and extend Cory Paix and Ben Hunt are extremely questionable. The way he's managed his roster begs a lot of questions and while he's been dealt some tough hands he has not made life easy for himself either.
I think he's been complacent when it comes to the roster. I think a few of his selections have been short sighted and now he's locked himself in a position where he has to pick undeserving players.
Let me provide an example.
The situation with Ben Te Kura should have been handled so much better. Why would you release him in April just weeks ahead of the Origin season? Why would you not secure a replacement in the mean time?
Sometimes teams just go through rough patches. Penrith had theirs in 2025, Melbourne are having theirs right now but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to see a response from Brisbane.
