Written by Rhea Alison, Sports reporter, covering international sports since 2020
The Michael Maguire Broncos premiership message that inspired Brisbane’s 2025 NRL title win has come back into focus as the club prepares to face Melbourne again this week. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated grand final rematch, Maguire reflected on the simple instruction he gave his players during last year’s decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Brisbane had trailed at halftime but rallied to secure their first premiership in 19 years, a moment that still shapes the team’s mindset as they attempt to rediscover form early in the 2026 season.
Maguire’s simple message before historic victory
During a recent interview with Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson, the Broncos coach recalled the message he delivered before the 2025 grand final against Melbourne.
“It wasn’t so much about who we were playing, it was about what we wanted to set out as a group,” Maguire said of his preparation against Melbourne in the 2025 grand final. “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got this group of men. I said ‘just go out and have a crack’.
“Even at halftime (where the Broncos were down by 10 points), the belief that the group have of each other – that they built way back in December, January and February, throughout the preseason – that to me is where I saw the group really evolve.”
That comeback victory turned into one of the biggest nights in Brisbane’s modern history. Fans packed the stands while thousands more celebrated across Queensland as the Broncos ended a long premiership drought.
The words from Maguire were simple but they captured the mood inside the dressing room. Players later said the calm tone helped them reset and return to the field with renewed energy in the second half.
Slow start to the 2026 season
Brisbane enters the upcoming clash with Melbourne after a difficult opening to the 2026 campaign. The defending champions have suffered back to back losses, including a 26-0 defeat against Penrith followed by a high scoring 40-32 loss to Parramatta.
Momentum swung repeatedly during that Parramatta match. The Broncos appeared to seize control midway through the second half before the Eels surged late, leaving Brisbane fans stunned as the final whistle blew.
Off-field news has also added pressure. Star prop Payne Haas recently confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season to join South Sydney, a decision that shocked many supporters.
Despite the rocky start, the upcoming Storm matchup offers Brisbane a chance to reset their season.
Maguire reflects on pressure and coaching growth
Maguire admitted he places heavy expectations on himself when results do not go his way.
“I’m extremely hard on myself,” he said.
“That’s probably the part of the coaching side that I don’t know whether I’ll ever master. You’re chasing success with your players and there’s always something that you could have possibly done.
“I think the evolution of what I’ve gone through as a coach is definitely changed. I have learned to get out of the way at times now. As much as I want to be involved, you allow your players to express parts of what they’re developing and I really enjoy that.
“I think it’s growing players. When I say stepping away, it’s allowing them to find their feet. I’m a bit of a carer so I like to try and help.
“I think [empathy] is the number one thing you need. It’s the stuff that’s away from the footy field that’s actually the most enjoyable part. It’s families, it’s the kids, it’s helping someone develop outside of footy.”
The veteran coach has experienced both highs and setbacks throughout his career. His record includes NRL titles with Brisbane and South Sydney, a Super League premiership with Wigan, and international success with New Zealand.
What matters most to Maguire
When asked how he hopes players remember him, Maguire pointed to the personal relationships built over years in the game.
“It’s probably how I’ve made players feel. You have special moments with players and staff; highs and lows, and challenges. But they’re the things that bring people together and they’re the things that I enjoy remembering with the people that I get to work with,” he told Sampson.
“I was hungry to achieve a (NRL) premiership and to do it at two special clubs. It has been a special ride,” Maguire added.
“I’m on the journey here at the Broncos, obviously on the back of various things that I have done. I tend to look forward in what I want to achieve, it’s a very special club and they’ve given me an unbelievable 12 months.
“To be able to chase that again, the group is probably at the start of the journey of what we’re setting out to try and achieve.”
The role of Reece Walsh and the training ground
One factor behind Brisbane’s 2025 success was the preparation done away from the spotlight. Maguire highlighted the work ethic of several players, including star fullback Reece Walsh.
“People talk about the zone or the flow that you have as a player. A player at their best doesn’t tend to do a lot of thinking. They’re just out there playing and feeling and enjoying what they’re doing,” Maguire explained.
“To be able to get players into that –that’s through the simplicity of how you go about what you do each day. Reecey is a great example of that, being able to get out and just enjoy doing what he’s doing without having to do a lot of thinking.
“Watching him do that, it was all hours and moments out on the training park. Watching video with my staff, with Trent (Barrett), with Benny Teo getting his defence right. Those are the reasons why a player can go out and perform the way he did.
“He’s probably known a lot for his attack, but he saved quite a number of tries that put us in to the position continually to keep going in that game.”
Those defensive efforts during the grand final proved just as important as Brisbane’s attacking flair.
Broncos chasing another title run
After delivering Brisbane’s first premiership in nearly two decades, Maguire believes the club still has room to grow.
“I definitely credit what we’ve built in the last 12 months, this has been a work in progress and there has been plenty of people involved. Previous coaches and all those sorts of things,” Maguire said.
“I feel that the group now understands the opportunity that they have to be able to continually build and chase the success.”
Friday night’s showdown with Melbourne will test that belief. The Storm remain one of the competition’s toughest teams, and the crowd atmosphere is expected to be intense as fans relive memories of the dramatic 2025 decider.