Advertisement

Michael Maguire's massive backflip in first significant move as Brisbane Broncos coach

The new coach is already making big roster calls after Kevin Walters' departure.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read

Michael Maguire is already making changes to the Kevin Walters era at the Brisbane Broncos, revealing a massive backflip on out-of-favour players Kobe Hetherington and Cory Paix. Maguire was officially confirmed as the new Broncos coach on Tuesday, replacing Walters after the former boss was let go after four seasons in charge.

And the former Souths and Wests Tigers coach is already stamping his mark on his new club. Last month it emerged that the Broncos had told emerging forward Hetherington he was free to speak to rival clubs and secure a deal elsewhere.

Michael Maguire alongside Brisbane Broncos players.
Michael Maguire (L) has made a big call on Kobe Hetherington (second from left) and Cory Paix. Image: Getty/AAP

Many believe Hetherington has a bright future in Brisbane, and there was shock when the Broncos informed him he's free to leave. As for Paix, the hooker has continually been linked to other clubs (in Australia and England) due to his lack of playing time at the Broncos.

Paix is a dynamic dummy-half, but didn't play a single game in first grade this year due to the presence of Walters' son Billy, young gun Blake Mozer and back-up hooker Tyson Smoothy. Broncos fans seemed resigned to losing both Hetherington and Paix, but Maguire has other plans.

Cory Paix and Kobe Hetherington.
Cory Paix and Kobe Hetherington have both been linked to leaving the Broncos. Image: Getty

The new Broncos boss told Peter Psaltis of Channel 9 on Tuesday that both Hetherington and Paix are in his plans moving forward. Psaltis wrote on social media: "They will be welcome to pre-season training as [Maguire] operates off a clean slate in 2025."

Hetherington had become a reliable forward option in 2024 after the Broncos lost Kurt Capewell and Tom Flegler in the off-season to the Warriors and Dolphins respectively. Walters copped plenty of criticism for failing to recruit any big names to replace them, with the likes of Jordan Riki, Brendan Piakura, Fletcher Baker and Jayden Hunt failing to fire this season.

As for Paix, Maguire's declaration that he does have a future at the Broncos might be bad news for Billy Walters. Kevin's son started the majority of games at No.9 this year, but with a dearth of depth at dummy-half he might find himself on the outer under Maguire.

Michael Maguire at Broncos headquarters.
Michael Maguire (R) speaks to the media at Broncos headquarters. (AAP Image/Russell Freeman)

RELATED:

Maguire has signed a three-year deal with the Broncos and has declared his ambitions to win a comp in Brisbane. With the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan, the pieces are already in place for Maguire to turn the under-performing club around.

Maguire has put some noses out of joint with his decision to leave his role with NSW in State of Origin after just one season, but the 50-year-old has always cited his desire to get back into full-time NRL coaching. "I am a career coach," he said on Tuesday. "I love the daily stuff and my last campaign in the Origin - it was an incredible experience - but I've missed having players around me daily and that's what I've got a lot out of, living as a coach.

"I'm extremely hungry to win another competition (after 2014 with the Rabbitohs). I just see the opportunities and the ability of what a club like the Broncos can be - (and) you can get pretty close to it."