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"Going to kill one of these blokes": Broncos coach's warning to Madge
SEN • October 8th, 2025 3:53 pm
Michael Maguire is no stranger to criticism when it comes to his coaching approach but even his right-hand man admits he harboured concerns for player wellbeing at one stage.
Madge was criticised for how hard he pushed his players at the start of the season as he looked to put his stamp on a club that had gone 19-years without a premiership.
Vomit buckets were seen strategically placed around training sessions as the new coach got underway at Redhill towards the end of 2024. It sparked concerns over how hard players were being pushed in punishing heat.
At the time Broncos CEO Donaghy said the entire training staff were aware of new guidelines put in place by the NRL and that the club were satisfied they were abiding the guidelines.
Now, Broncos assistant coach Trent Barrett had said there is no way the side would have completed the fairytale 2025 Grand Final victory without Maguire’s strategy.
“Without the work the players did earlier this year, we probably wouldn’t have survived the last month," Barrett told News Corp.
“Madge was proved to be right.
“There was no secret motto or potion, they just worked hard. There were times in the pre-season when I said to Madge: ‘You're going to kill one of these blokes’.
“We had a couple of really hot days but they got through it. 'Madge' always says how amazed you can be at what the body can do. It's all in your mind. You can be surprised what your body can do – it's all mental’.”
The Broncos 2025 season makes fort impressive reading. At the midway point they were languishing in 11th spot.
They had won five games from 12 and sat outside the eight with the critics taking aim at the coach and his approach.
The season was by no means a write-off, but the results were below par.
Then came the turnaround. Maguire and his team won 13 of the final 15 games of the season - including their finals clashes - to be crowned Premiers.
In an exclusive chat with SEN this week, Maguire said he did not pay much attention to his critics, preferring to trust his process.
"Everyone has got an opinion, and people are paid for them.
"It’s not the opinions I care about it’s the people I'm fortunate to be with. They look at the past and come up with things, but we came up with something that the right people talk about.
"The right people know what goes on to create what we did. They're the people you want to hang around so that’s why I stick with them."
