The Brisbane Broncos could be at risk of a player exit if the club decides to extend coach Michael Maguire’s services beyond the 2027 season.
In a bombshell on Triple M’s Sunday Sinbin, it was suggested Maguire could remain as Brisbane head coach beyond 2027 despite his side slipping to 13th in the NRL table with just five wins from 15 matches.
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The Broncos have struggled to emulate the form that has taken them on a brilliant run to the 2025 NRL premiership.
But such is Maguire’s support from Brisbane coach Dave Donaghy that he could soon be re-signed to avoid a repeat of the PR disaster surrounding his predecessor Kevin Walters, who was shown the door in 2024 – 12 months after leading the Broncos to the grand final.
The move will prevent an exodus of players from Brisbane, according to the Daily Telegraph’s Brent Reid.
“There’s been more and more rumors coming out of Red Hill this week about team harmony and whether everyone is on the same page and that will continue until they start winning some football games,” Reid told Triple M.
“They can’t re-sign Maguire, they can’t do that. If that happens there will be a mass exodus. I think players will leave if they re-sign Maguire. I think that will happen, yes.”
“I can’t imagine them extending it, I think if they do it would be crazy.”
Brisbane’s fading harmony has been on display again and again throughout 2027, with superstar Payne Haas confirming a move to South Sydney just weeks after the team secured the premiership and assistant Ben Teo leaving the club just three games into the 2026 season after a reported row.
According to Triple M’s Ben Dobbyn, concerns in Brisbane will not subside under Maguire’s leadership.
“Jesse Arthars just got an offer from Brisbane and he just turned it down. He didn’t even consider it,” Dobbin said. “I thought it was strange.
“We all hear these stories. They say… it’s a very, very, very difficult program. But last year it brought them the premiership and you can’t criticize that.
“There are players who are agitating to leave, there is no doubt about that.”
Brisbane have scored a few small recruiting wins in recent months, with Dane Gagai and Mitch Barnett signing with the club through 2027 and club legend Ben Hunt extending his contract for a further year.
In welcome news for the injury-plagued club, Maguire confirmed that Billy Walters, Adam Reynolds and Dain Mariner are set to return for the Broncos’ next game against Cronulla on July 4.
The Broncos suffered their seventh successive defeat to the Roosters on Friday and the consensus is they will need to win eight of their final nine regular season matches if they have any hope of reaching the NRL finals.
“They’ve got a terrible draw, so I don’t think it’s going to improve, at least not in the short term,” Reid suggested.
Dobbin argued Brisbane would eventually overcome player exodus due to the club’s depth and glamor, but recovery would take time.
“What you’re saying makes sense: some players don’t want to be there,” he explained. “But for every player who doesn’t want to be there, there’s Cameron Bukowski and there are young players who just want an opportunity in the NRL and with the Broncos.
“The idea is that if there are players who don’t want to be here, we’ll find someone who does. Michael Maguire has had success at South Sydney, he’s had success internationally, in Origin, he’s had success with the Broncos last year. Is he the right coach moving forward? The Broncos absolutely think so.”
Earlier this month, Donaghy backed Maguire to revive the struggling Broncos to long-term success, quashing rumors the Premier League winner could be ousted mid-season.
Asked whether Maguire’s future was secure, Donaghy replied: “Absolutely.”
“Our performances and results are available to the entire club – players, coaches, staff and management.
“We are united in meeting this current challenge together and coming out the other side in better shape.”
Originally published as Broncos exodus looms over Michael Maguire contract details
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