Broncos Coach Refuses to Blame Injuries for Disappointing Loss
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has refused to use the team’s injury problems as an excuse following a heavy defeat to Manly in what he described as a “disappointing” performance. The reigning premiers have faced significant challenges this season, with several key players sidelined due to injuries and suspensions.
On Saturday night, the Broncos were without several important players, including Payne Haas, Deine Mariner, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, and Brendan Piakura. Additionally, star centre Kotoni Staggs was serving the first week of his two-game suspension.
Despite a late boost from veteran Ben Hunt, who returned early from a knee injury, the Broncos were unable to recover from the 32-4 loss. Maguire attributed the poor performance to fundamental errors and a lack of possession during the match.
Focus on Fundamentals
Speaking after the game, Maguire highlighted the team’s low completion rate of just 56% at Brookvale Oval, which resulted in only 39% possession against a strong Manly side. He emphasized that these issues cost the team any chance of success.
“It was disappointing, the boys unfortunately just didn’t give themselves an opportunity with the lack of possession we had,” Maguire said. “That was the disappointing part, just silly fundamental errors cost us and trying to push passes when we just needed to roll the sleeves up.”
Maguire acknowledged the challenges the team has faced but stressed that the focus should be on how they played rather than the absence of key players.
No Excuses for the Loss
When asked about the impact of missing key players, Maguire was clear that it was not an excuse. “To be truthfully honest, that’s called an excuse,” he said. “If you give yourself better completion rates, which is the game of footy, you’ll put yourself into a better position than what we did tonight.”
He expressed full confidence in the players in the changing room and noted that the team came into the game with high expectations. “I’ve got full confidence in those players in that changeroom, we came down here with a high expectation about how we go about things and we weren’t able to do that.”
Maguire also praised the players who stepped up in the absence of key figures. “Anyone who has slotted into those positions has been doing a really good job and we missed the mark tonight, it’s as simple as that.”
Captain Agrees with Coach’s Assessment
Broncos captain Pat Carrigan echoed Maguire’s sentiments and denied that the team’s injury list affected the outcome of the game. “Not really – like Madge said, there’s confidence that anyone who puts on a Broncos jersey is there to do a job,” Carrigan said.
He emphasized the importance of discipline and skill in the game. “I’ve got confidence when I run out with those blokes that they’re more than capable. That would be an excuse [missing players], it is an excuse and when you only get 39 per cent of the footy and complete at the same rate, what hope do you have?”
Carrigan pointed to the lack of discipline and poor completion as the main issues. “Tonight we lacked discipline and completion and that’s just fundamental skill.”
Looking Ahead
The Broncos will aim to bounce back when they face the New Zealand Warriors next weekend at Magic Round. With a focus on improving fundamentals and regaining confidence, the team will look to return to winning ways in the coming weeks.
