Maguire vows to show ‘club legend’ respect he deserves
Jasper Bruce |
Michael Maguire has vowed to show “club legend” Adam Reynolds the respect he deserves as the Brisbane halfback fights to break back onto the team sheet for his NRL swan song.
Batting away questions about his own future, Broncos coach Maguire admitted he was unsure about that of the retiring Reynolds, who suffered a fresh calf injury on Wednesday.
The dual premiership winner will need up to three weeks out, so could miss the chance to farewell the Broncos’ home crowd in their last Brisbane game for 2026 on August 27.
Even with the emotion of such a farewell – and their finals hopes well and truly over – the 16th-placed defending premiers will only play Reynolds again if he is truly fit.
“Depending on how that strain is, it’ll depend on whether or not he’s involved,” Maguire said.
“His body has got to be right to go, then we’ll work that out.”
The Broncos face a halves conundrum for 2027, with current No.7 Tom Duffy, forthcoming recruit Jonah Pezet and premiership winner Ezra Mam all vying for opportunities.
Maguire reiterated he had been “impressed” by former North Queensland half Duffy, and there is external thought the 23-year-old should be given ample chances at NRL level before the season is out.
But Maguire will be respectful of his champion No.7, with the coach appearing unlikely to stand in his way of one last game.
“Obviously you’ve got to respect the player, he’s a club legend,” said Maguire, who handed Reynolds his NRL debut at South Sydney in 2012.
“He came to the organisation five or six years ago. Obviously I’ve had a really good relationship with him over a long period of time and he’s helped really transform a lot that has gone on here.
“I’ll pay the right respects, depending on where his body’s at and where he’s at, and the playing group is at.”
The Broncos will become the first defending premiers since Wests Tigers in 2006 to miss finals altogether, and are still not guaranteed to avoid the wooden spoon.
Injuries notwithstanding, Brisbane have won one of their last 12 games, with star player Reece Walsh headlining a list of players below their best as compared to last year.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with the third-placed Warriors, Maguire was asked why he was still the right man to lead the club in 2027.
“I work to make sure that we’re a successful club and there’s plenty of things that are always thrown at you in a different way,” he said.
“I’m the one that knows all about it and I obviously talk to the people around me, the staff and everyone that’s involved in the club.
“We’re all aware of where we’re at and what we need to do moving forward.”
AAP