Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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JOSH McGuire will take on a leadership role at the Broncos despite having to play for his future at Red Hill next season.
The sight of McGuire giving advice to Brisbane’s emerging forwards at training on Tuesday was an insight into his growing status at the club in the post-Corey Parker era.
Parker was a mentor to McGuire in his rookie years but the retirement of Brisbane’s skipper has inspired his one-time apprentice to adopt a more senior role.
McGuire, sporting a new look with his shaved head and thick beard, has every incentive to fire next season after losing his Australian jumper for last month’s Four Nations tournament.
The Queensland Origin prop is also off contract next season and accepts he must help fill the Parker void to secure an upgraded deal with the Broncos.
“I’m becoming one of the older guys here so I have to make sure guys like myself, Ben Hunt, Andrew (McCullough) and Alex Glenn set an example for the younger guys,” McGuire said.
“I want to keep improving. I’m starting to hit those years now where as a player you start to find a consistency in your football. I want to take my game to another level.
“Cozza (Parker) was a big driving force behind the club and the way we went about our training. Everyone here is competitive, you have to be to play at the highest level, and we try to drive that at training.
“Cozza pushed me in a lot of regards, but he was one guy who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.
“I am going to miss playing with him but life goes on and footy goes on. We have to keep moving forward.’’
The Broncos have their work cut out negotiating to retain McGuire.
The 26-year-old is on $500,000 next season but could command more on the open market as a Test and Origin player and veteran of 150 first-grade games.
McGuire is going into his ninth NRL season but admits his Kangaroos snubbing shows he must not become complacent.
“I was disappointed (to be dumped from the Test team),” he said. “I obviously wasn’t playing good enough and that’s fine, but I want to get back into the Test team next year and I want to be playing Origin.
“The game is getting quicker every year so overall I want to improve. With the skill side of things, I’d like to use the ball a bit more next season. I enjoy playing with the footy but I haven’t had to do it as much at the start of my career because we’ve had other guys here at the Broncos doing it.
“Cozza will be a big loss we have a good core group that will definitely put their hand up and pick up the load.’’
No Cookies | Townsville Bulletin
The sight of McGuire giving advice to Brisbane’s emerging forwards at training on Tuesday was an insight into his growing status at the club in the post-Corey Parker era.
Parker was a mentor to McGuire in his rookie years but the retirement of Brisbane’s skipper has inspired his one-time apprentice to adopt a more senior role.
McGuire, sporting a new look with his shaved head and thick beard, has every incentive to fire next season after losing his Australian jumper for last month’s Four Nations tournament.
The Queensland Origin prop is also off contract next season and accepts he must help fill the Parker void to secure an upgraded deal with the Broncos.
“I’m becoming one of the older guys here so I have to make sure guys like myself, Ben Hunt, Andrew (McCullough) and Alex Glenn set an example for the younger guys,” McGuire said.
“I want to keep improving. I’m starting to hit those years now where as a player you start to find a consistency in your football. I want to take my game to another level.
“Cozza (Parker) was a big driving force behind the club and the way we went about our training. Everyone here is competitive, you have to be to play at the highest level, and we try to drive that at training.
“Cozza pushed me in a lot of regards, but he was one guy who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.
“I am going to miss playing with him but life goes on and footy goes on. We have to keep moving forward.’’
The Broncos have their work cut out negotiating to retain McGuire.
The 26-year-old is on $500,000 next season but could command more on the open market as a Test and Origin player and veteran of 150 first-grade games.
McGuire is going into his ninth NRL season but admits his Kangaroos snubbing shows he must not become complacent.
“I was disappointed (to be dumped from the Test team),” he said. “I obviously wasn’t playing good enough and that’s fine, but I want to get back into the Test team next year and I want to be playing Origin.
“The game is getting quicker every year so overall I want to improve. With the skill side of things, I’d like to use the ball a bit more next season. I enjoy playing with the footy but I haven’t had to do it as much at the start of my career because we’ve had other guys here at the Broncos doing it.
“Cozza will be a big loss we have a good core group that will definitely put their hand up and pick up the load.’’
No Cookies | Townsville Bulletin
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