The coach was keen to keep things private after Brisbane’s loss to Manly.
Michael Maguire was keen to keep his post-match chat with Broncos players behind closed doors on Saturday night, heading away from cameras in the dressing rooms in a rare move. The Broncos plummeted to 11th on the ladder with their sixth loss in seven games after being thrashed by Manly 34-6.
Pressure is mounting on Maguire, with many questioning whether he’s the saviour that he appeared to be early in the season. After 12 rounds in 2025, the Broncos are going worse than when Kevin Walters was the the helm.
After their loss to the Sea Eagles on Saturday night, Maguire locked his players away behind closed doors to deliver his post-mortem. The coach and players usually sit in a room where cameras are present, and the vision is often shown on Fox League or Channel 9.
But on Saturday night, Maguire took his players to a separate part of the locker room that doesn’t have cameras, and closed off the area so no-one else could gain access. Maguire and a staff member were seen coming out of the separate area after he delivered his post-mortem, but what was said will remain a mystery.
The coach was likely keen to avoid the cameras seeing him deliver an almighty spray, as he would have no doubt been fuming at his players’ efforts. Broncos legend Gorden Tallis also pointed out on Sunday that Maguire was still on the walkie-talkie after full-time in the coach’s box, in a move that Tallis suggested was Maguire trying to control the message his players delivered in on-field interviews.
If that was the case, the coach has clearly gone to ground and tried to take everything behind closed doors and control as much as possible. It’s a telling situation for a club in absolute turmoil.
Michael Maguire speaks out after latest Broncos loss
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Maguire said: “There were patches of what we can do and there are patches we need to improve on. It’s straightforward. We will look at it and make sure we have long periods of what we want to do in our game. We made plenty of errors and gave away a few penalties in the first half which accumulates pressure but you’ve got to handle that.”
The coach was asked if he thought the Broncos’ attack was being found out. “There are probably times where we’re pushing a pass here and there and that’s what creates pressure back on ourselves,” he responded.
So that’s something that we’re talking about and just need to be better at it. The boys are putting in plenty of effort, we just need to focus on the areas of our game that builds pressure on teams. That’s the game.”
He added: “I’ve got to grow the team to be able to build pressure. We showed signs but we just have to do it longer, that’s what the teams further up the ladder are doing. When the opportunities come you’ve got to make sure you’re in position to take them. We need to be a bit smarter in that area and it’s something we need to improve on. We need to execute plays in pressure situations… the ball was in play for long periods of time tonight and unfortunately we faulted.”
