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Maguire vindicated as title puts him in elite company
Scott Bailey, AAP • October 6th, 2025 8:47 am
Broncos coach Michael Maguire hugs Adam Reynolds after winning the 2025 NRL Grand Final |Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Michael Maguire claims critics of his coaching methods never fazed him at Brisbane, after he moved into rarefied air by guiding the Broncos to an unlikely premiership.
Maguire became just the sixth man to coach two clubs to titles on Sunday night, joining heavyweights Jack Gibson, Phil Gould, Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens and Chris Anderson.
Brisbane's 26-22 grand-final win over Melbourne came 11 years to the day after Maguire coached South Sydney to a title in 2014, with Adam Reynolds again his half.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire getting doused after their fantastic grand final triumph | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Yet it was only four months ago that Maguire's methods were being heavily questioned, as he was accused of being too intense and pushing players too hard.
At the same time, the 51-year-old was facing the challenge of replacing Kevin Walters, who remains a favourite among Brisbane's old boys, as club coach.
Ultimately, the fitness Maguire drilled into his players' paid off, with the Broncos finishing by winning all three of their finals games at the death to claim the premiership.
"I've been questioned all my life as a coach, so it doesn't really worry me," Maguire said.
"The journeys of the various places I've been at, these guys bought into exactly what I've seen work.
"They haven't flinched, they didn't go away from it.
"They stayed the course and now they're sitting here off the back of all the work that they've done, it's a credit to them."
Maguire's success with Brisbane continues a hot run for the coach since being sacked by Wests Tigers early in the 2023 season.
He helped New Zealand to a record-breaking 30-0 win over Australia in that year's Pacific Cup final, before taking NSW to a State of Origin series win last year.
"I just chase moments like this," Maguire said.
"I like taking on a challenge, definitely.
"They're all different in their own way. This is very special, to come to a state that they live and breathe rugby league every single day."
Michael Maguire, here winning his 2014 title with South Sydney, is a champion coach again | Photo: Paul Miller/AAP
Maguire was not the only feelgood story of Sunday for the Broncos.
Adam Reynolds, who finished the game early with a calf tear, made up for being at the centre of grand-final losses to Penrith at South Sydney in 2021 and Brisbane in 2023.
Ben Hunt can also now finally put the demons to bed of the 2015 golden-point loss to North Queensland, after a decade of having his golden-point dropped ball haunt him.
And then there is Clive Churchill Medallist Reece Walsh, who produced a grand-final performance for the ages with a try, three assists, 12 tackles busts and three try-saving plays.
Reece Walsh in the 2025 NRL Grand Final | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The fullback also admitted he initially dodged calls from Maguire at the start of last summer, but has since credited the club's intense army camp for their success.
"He demands a lot but we just won a comp, as he should demand a lot," Walsh said of 'Madge'.
"I remember Madge's passion and him sticking up for us through the year when we're getting rinsed through the media about the way we go about things.
"The care he has for us, no-one knows outside the club. We definitely know inside the club, the way he looks after us as people, he looks after our partners.
"I'm so honoured and so grateful to be under him, learn from him. He's a bloody winner, and I want to be a winner. And that's what we just did. I'm in awe."
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