'Jump to conclusions': Wally Lewis responds to Broncos fans demands over Maguire
Queensland legend Wally Lewis has warned Brisbane Broncos fans to temper their expectations for the 2025 season having suggested a number of fans were disgruntled with Michael Maguire even though they won on the weekend. In Adam Reynolds' 300th NRL game, the Broncos responded to a number of poor results having hammered the Titans 44-14 at Suncorp Stadium.
While the Broncos had lost six of their last seven clashes heading into the clash, the team responded well with Reece Walsh's return helping ignite the attack. Maguire also bowed to pressure having eventually moved Patrick Carrigan back to lock, pushing Kobe Hetherington to the bench.
The Broncos looked like a desperate team fighting for their position in the top eight and club legend Darren Lockyer suggested the game would have been a huge "A pressure relief...under a bit of pressure the stage was set for then to perform," Lockyer said on QLDER show.
"And they did that first half. And hopefully it puts a bit of fun going to work. Because when you are losing it's no fun. They are going into a bye now, I think the key for the Broncos is to back that performance up."
However, Lewis felt the message coming from the Broncos fan base is not helping the club. The Queensland legend said he spoke to a number of fans after the game and the consistent message was supporters were not sold on Maguire's reform so far. Although the Broncos great has called for patience with the rebuild.
"And it was disappointing...but on the street I was asked by a number of people about Michael Maguire," Lewis said on the show. "'This bloke, surely he can't be a good coach for our boys...got to get rid of him already'. Boy, I was thinking you jump to conclusions already, and you are expecting him to take Rome in a day. So, it was remarkable how quickly that had set in."
Maguire made a number of changes for the Titans win on Saturday, but the biggest decision was dropping Selwyn Cobbo. Despite having jumped between wing and fullback in 2025, Maguire opted to replace Cobbo with Josiah Karapani against the Titans.
And Karapani repaid the faith from his coach having made 15 runs for 176 metres, as well as three tackle breaks and two line breaks. The 23-year-old, who'd only played 11 games in first grade before Saturday night, doubled his career try tally and looked every bit an NRL player.
He vindicated coach Michael Maguire's decision to bring him in to replace Cobbo, after also getting the nod over regular first-grader Deine Mariner. Cobbo was spotted at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and helped the team run through their warmup drills. While Cobbo was linked to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, this was shut down on Wednesday.
Lockyer also suggested the return of Ben Hunt will also hand Maguire a boost heading into the schedule after State of Origin Game 2. Hunt will most likely return as the No.9 with Ezra Mam slotting into the No.6 role while he has been injured.
This means Maguire will make further changes to his side with his return expected any week. Hunt will most likely start with either Corey Paix or Billy Walters dropping out of the side completely. "I think Paix and Billy have been good, particularly on the weekend," Lockyer added. "I think they have been complimenting each other very well. When Hunt comes back, Madge has indicated he is going to No.9, it just depends who is going to partner him."
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