The new Brisbane coach is keen to get Kobe Hetherington into the starting side – which spells bad news for a fellow forward.
Brisbane Broncos forward Corey Jensen has welcomed Michael Maguire’s bid to shake things up at the NRL club, even if it means he loses his starting spot. Reports emerged last week that Maguire is considering using Kobe Hetherington as his starting lock in 2025, which would mean Patrick Carrigan would shift to front-row.
It would give the Broncos a formidable front-row pairing of Carrigan and Payne Haas, but Jensen would be axed from the starting 13 as a result. Jensen played 24 games for the Broncos in 2024 and was predominantly used by Kevin Walters as a starting prop.
But any thought that Jensen’s starting spot is secure for 2025 under Maguire was blown out of the water last week. The new coach is keen to get Hetherington more minutes, making a complete mockery of sacked coach Walters’ decision to allow him to speak to other clubs.
Walters was happy for Hetherington to find a new club last year, but Maguire has swiftly moved to shut that down. And it means Jensen might be forced to move back to the interchange bench in 2025.
It’s awesome,” Jensen said on Monday. “Competition within the group just brings out the best in everyone. I want that the starting spot just as much as anyone else out there. Competition just makes you want to train harder and work harder for each other. That’s what we’re doing this preseason, so I’ll continue to do that.”
Kobe Hetherington keen for starting spot under Michael Maguire
Hetherington said last week: “Everyone wants to start. That’s my goal and what I am trying to do this pre-season,” he said on Thursday. “It’s a big challenge but I’m up for it. I just have to keep training hard and stay injury free but I have got to give myself every opportunity to get that jersey.
It is always good to know people want you and it raises your confidence but I never really wanted to leave here. I’ve only ever been at this club since I was straight out of school. I love everything about this club and the direction we are going in. It’s home to me.
“Madge focuses on all the little things … working from the inside, tying in and real hard work. This training is my sort of style. I like all that hard work and we’re really focusing on defence.”
Michael Maguire and Broncos head off for brutal pre-season camp
Meanwhile, Jensen has provided an insight into the way Maguire has changed the culture and attitude at the club after their 12th-placed finish in 2024. The Broncos left for a three-day, police-style boot camp west of Brisbane on Monday that shapes as a defining exercise under the club’s new coach.
It’s understood the camp is designed for police to test their leadership qualities, mental strength and ability to operate under duress. “I think there’s a few boys that are a bit nervous – a few of the young guys that haven’t probably experienced this kind of thing,” Jensen said.
“A few of the boys have been trying to get around and find out what’s going to come, but no one really gives you too much. So you’ve just got to expect the unexpected and go out there and give it your best, do it together. It’s another chance for us to be leaders among the group too and help those younger blokes out.”
