Maguire makes call on Broncos player's future amid links to rival Queensland team

Yahoo

25-02-2025

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has signalled his intention to keep young sensation Blake Mozer at the club as Deine Mariner offers a glimpse into his own selection battle. One of the biggest decisions Maguire was set to make at the Broncos was who would play the No.9 role with a number of stars fighting for the one spot.
Last year, Billy Walters was the first choice dummy-half. However, Cory Paix has been the standout performer during the pre-season challenge and looks set to start against the Roosters next Thursday. Unfortunately, Mozer's pre-season was hampered after his troubled shoulder prompted him to take a step back.
This has led to speculation about his future with the 20-year-old off contract next year. The talented star has also been linked to the Gold Coast Titans. Mozer won't be able to prove his form to start the season as he recovers from his shoulder injury that will sideline him indefinitely.
But in a promising sign for the youngster, Maguire wants the Broncos to do everything they can to keep the young sensation to secure the future of the club. 'I'd love to keep him,' Maguire told . 'Blake is great to coach.
'He is diligent about wanting to learn the game, that's something there that your hookers have to have. They are the guys that are driving a lot of what goes on and they are the guys that everyone is running at."
Last year, Mozer played eight games under former coach Kevin Walters as he settled into a second-string dummy-half role. While he will miss the start of the season while he works on his rehab, which will eventually see him undergo surgery, Maguire expects Mozer to feature for the Broncos in 2025.
This would be a huge boost for the Broncos with Paix, Mozer and Walters all fighting it out for the one spot. Paix enjoyed two strong games for the Broncos in their pre-season challenge and his running game appears to have won over Maguire in 2025.
While Mozer will miss the beginning of the 2025 season due to injury, Mariner is pushing to retain his starting role under new coach Maguire. Kotoni Staggs is set to miss four to six weeks after injuring his quad against the Bulldogs. This has opened the door for Mariner to start.
The speedster was in a battle with Gehamat Shibasaki after Maguire opted to leave Mariner on the bench for the trial game against the Bulldogs. Selwyn Cobbo has moved to the wing, with Jesse Arthars locking down the other wing spot. And Staggs was guaranteed to be the other centre.
This left one centre spot available for either Mariner and Shibasaki. However, Staggs' injury means Mariner should get first crack against the Roosters next week as he duels it out with Shibasaki going forward.
And the flyer, who scored 17 tries in 21 games last year, admitted Maguire has spoken to him about his role and feels he needs to improve the mental side of his game. This comes after a gruelling pre-season up in Brisbane where no spot in the starting 13 is guaranteed.
"You guys (in the media) have heard the stories about our pre-season and there has been a real focus Madge (Maguire) has put on me to get stronger mentally. That is what everyone wants … mentally tough players," Mariner said on Tuesday.
"It comes with maturing. This is only my third pre-season and it has definitely been the hardest one. I am still young and still learning and he is really testing me and making sure he has brought the best out of me. Madge is still finalising the round-one team so all the boys are fighting for positions. It is a good opportunity for everyone to put their best foot forward for any position they could get named for."
While Mariner featured on the wing on 11 occasions in 2024, the flyer feels centre is his best position. "I have played (centre) all my junior grades and I am comfortable there," Mariner said. "The biggest thing Madge has made us think about is that no spots are given. No-one can get complacent. It is real competitive at training and bringing out the best in us."