Michael Maguire responds to dressing room claims after Billy Slater's confession about Reece Walsh
The incoming coach admits he has heard the noise around the Broncos dressing room.
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has acknowledged the claims there are 'rockstars' in the Brisbane dressing room as Billy Slater's honest reveal about Reece Walsh comes back to light. Kevin Walters was axed from the head coach role at the Broncos after failing to reach the top eight again during his time in charge.
Despite a poor season - which was interrupted with injuries - players and fans were still left stunned when the club announced Walters would depart. And plenty of the players came copped criticism in 2024 having failed to back-up their form from the previous season.
In particular, Walsh copped plenty of backlash for his on and off-field antics with the Broncos superstar often at the centre of attention due to his popularity. And there were reports that standards in the Broncos dressing room had slipped under Walters during his final season as coach.
In particular, Walsh came under criticism over claims he developed an 'ego'. Walsh reportedly had his shirt off during a pre-game warm-up on the field before the Broncos' clash with the Titans earlier this season, which would never fly under a veteran coach like Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy.
Reporter Dean Ritchie then took aim at Walsh for wearing sunglasses ahead of the 2023 NRL grand final in the dressing room. "Madge will tip that club on its head and it needs to be tipped on its head. The egos are out of control,” Ritchie said on NRL 360.
“You won’t see that (Reece Walsh wearing sunglasses in the dressing room at night). I’m telling you. And you won’t see nail polish on the fingers of the players either. Madge will say ‘you are kidding’.”
And in an interview on Wednesday, new coach Maguire attempted to quell suggestions there were 'rockstars' at the club. Although he claimed the players would have to buy into his standards as the new coach, which is one of hard work and sacrifice.
"You hear all the noise, at the end of the day, until I meet someone, that's when I'll judge them. There are certain things I know we need to do as a group to see success. And be successful," he said on SEN Radio.
"I have been fortunate to be around a lot of pretty good players. They all have a pretty similar personality, and they all have similar traits. And that is wanting to be the best. And keeping your feet on the ground is one of them. You need to be humble and respectful."
Maguire didn't mince words when asked about what he expects from the players at his new club. "I have only ever seen success come when players want to work hard. And that is what I will be asking of the players," Maguire said. "It comes with sacrifice...the harder you work, the more things come into your life." Fortunately for Maguire, Queensland coach and NRL legend Slater has backed Walsh's work ethic during his brief time mentoring the fullback.
Billy Slater defends Reece Walsh ahead of Broncos deal
Recently, Queensland coach Slater praised the Maroons fullback for his unbelievable work ethic at training. Slater is arguably the greatest fullback to play the game and has worked with Walsh in recent years during the youngster's time in Origin.
While Walsh may already be the game's biggest superstar, Slater quickly reminded fans the fullback is an incredibly hard worker and is willing to sacrifice a lot to go to the next level. “He’s 22 years old and played 75 NRL games - the next 125 games will be with the Broncos and that will be the best period of his career," Slater said on Channel Nine. “I’ve worked closely with Reece, he’s got a great work ethic.
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"He’s a very respectful young man - he has got a perception out there that he’s a bit of a larrikin and likes the limelight, but he works really hard and he loves the game of footy. The great thing for the Broncos is that you’ve got this young star who wants to be a Bronco — imagine how many clubs out there would love Reece Walsh.”
Maguire would have taken Slater's words on board heading into the Broncos dressing room with hard work a cornerstone of his coaching foundation. Broncos fans will be hoping Maguire and Walsh gel ahead of the 2025 season as the club looks to make another NRL premiership title run.
