EXCLUSIVE: Adam Reynolds Responds to Claims of Michael Maguire ‘Overworking’ His Players

There has been speculation about new Broncos coach Michael Maguire potentially pushing his players too hard during the off-season, leaving them feeling dissatisfied due to a lack of newsworthy incidents occurring within the NRL. This sentiment was shared by Adam Reynolds when asked by Wide World of Sports for his perspective on the matter, especially after a rigorous three-day military-style camp led by Maguire west of Brisbane.

Maguire dismissed suggestions of “over-cooking” his players as “rubbish” in an interview with Fox Sports before the Broncos kick off their season, stating, “I find it amusing now every time I hear that.”

Reynolds echoed Maguire’s sentiments, brushing aside the speculation ahead of Thursday night’s match against the Roosters at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, saying, “There haven’t been many players misbehaving during the off-season, so there’s not much to report. Everyone is in good spirits. We understand that hard work leads to success, and every team has been through a challenging pre-season.”

He continued, “I can’t say ours has been tougher than others. As players, we aim to reach our full potential, and if that requires hard work, then that’s what we need to do.”

Maguire highlighted the example set by the Panthers and Storm in his defense. “The two teams that have been consistently performing in grand finals, Penrith and Melbourne — people rave about their intense pre-seasons,” he remarked in the Fox Sports interview. “But when someone else does it, suddenly it becomes, ‘Oh no, you’re pushing your players too hard’. I find it entertaining now. I just think, ‘Here we go again’.”

In a separate note, it was reported that star Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam crashed his vehicle while unlicensed and under the influence of drugs, resulting in injuries to two individuals, one of whom was a child.

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Besides the Mam incident, the off-season has seen few controversies, with the notable exception of the altercation involving Raiders teammates Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, which included a baseball bat in Las Vegas, marking the biggest off-field drama in rugby league this summer.

Maguire officially took over as the Broncos’ head coach on the final day of September, following the dismissal of club legend Kevin Walters just four days earlier.

Reynolds expressed sympathy for Walters. “I certainly felt for Kev. I have a great relationship with him and believe he was unjustly treated. He achieved significant things for the club and didn’t deserve how it ended,” Reynolds shared.

However, he also conveyed his enthusiasm at working alongside Maguire again, the pair having celebrated a premiership together at the Rabbitohs in 2014. “I know what Madge brings to the table, the success he drives within an organisation, which makes it exciting to reconnect. He’s a brilliant coach who insists on the highest standards from his players, creating an environment that fosters improvement, both as athletes and as individuals.”