Gal: Only way Madge can beat ‘hostile’ Broncos reception

NRL great PAUL GALLEN will appear on Nine’s 100% FOOTY every Monday night of the NRL season, debating rugby league’s hottest topics alongside Phil Gould and James Bracey. Tune in LIVE at 7.30pm (AEST) on 9Now tonight following a bumper finals week three!
I can’t say I was surprised by some of the reaction coming out of Brisbane after news the Broncos met with Michael Maguire last week.
And I do kind of understand it.
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Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis aren’t impressed the club would try to get the current New South Wales coach to replace Kevin Walters.
Kevvie is a legend in Brisbane – he was a champion player who has worked his butt off to help the club long after hanging up the boots.
Of course his former teammates are going to come out swinging after he was sacked. I would be doing the same thing.
NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire speaks to the media. Getty
It’s rugby league and we all look after our own.
And those guys would have been a bit taken aback by the Broncos immediately getting on the phone to Madge to try bring him into the hot seat.
I was a bit surprised they didn’t reach out to Billy Slater first, but I know Billy has said he has little interest in going into club coaching.
If Madge does take the job I’d expect a bit of a hostile reception when he arrives at Red Hill.
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But you know what will end all that?
Winning.
I guarantee as soon as the Broncos win two or three games on the trot under Maguire all the criticism will go away.
If he does take the Broncos to a premiership you can bet your bottom dollar those former players won’t care that he once coached NSW.
Rugby league is a sport of passion and winning games of footy can generally solve any issue at a club.
Everyone loves a winner and Madge has proven success in the game. He’s won an NRL premiership and a State of Origin series.
He’s the most experienced coach on the market and it makes sense the Broncos are interested in talking to him.
I also won’t blame Madge if he does decide to cut his Blues gig short to go and coach Brisbane.
From what I hear the NSW coaching role isn’t the highest paid job and Madge needs to put himself and his family first.
I could never criticise a bloke for trying to earn as much money from the game as he can. And the Broncos are a pretty attractive coaching job with the squad they have.
Gorden Tallis has defended ex-Broncos coach Kevin Walters. Getty
They were diabolical this year and it’s especially hard to fathom when you look at the players at Kevvie’s disposal.
I know they had a few injuries, and they did lose three experienced players at the end of last season.
But Kevvie’s coaching record overall isn’t that great. He made one finals series in four years.
The Broncos had to make a decision and they decided they need someone new.
That’s the way the game is, it’s harsh but it is the reality.
I’ve said before that there aren’t many coaches who get the perfect farewell in the NRL.
Almost all of them end up getting sacked or leaving a club before their contract expires. It’s the brutal nature of the business.
A fresh voice at the club could be what’s needed to take that talented squad all the way.