Broncos legend Gordon Tallis shuts down peace offer from team’s newly appointed coach Michael Maguire
- Gordon Tallis has been critical of the appointment of Michael Maguire
- The pair crossed paths with Maguire offering an olive branch
- Tallis dismissed a conversation in which Maguire reacted rudely
Broncos icon Gordon Tallis has reportedly rejected a peace offer from Brisbane’s new coach Michael Maguire after the pair crossed paths on NRL grand final day.
The Broncos confirmed in early October that Maguire would take over the team immediately ahead of the 2025 preseason.
Maguire’s appointment marks a stunning turnaround for the 2014 premiership winner at South Sydney, who was sacked by struggling Wests Tigers in mid-2021.
He has since won a Pacific Championships with New Zealand and an Origin series with NSW, before now returning to clubland with 2023 grand finalists Brisbane.
Tallis was highly critical of the appointment, and according to News Corpthe Broncos legend had a tricky encounter with Madge on the big final day at Accor Stadium.
“He said, ‘G’day mate,’ he shook my hand and he said, ‘We need to catch up for a coffee,’” Tallis said.
‘I told him, “I don’t drink coffee.”
‘I don’t have to be friends with any coach. I never overtook Kevvie, I never overtook Des (Hasler) and I never overtook Justin Holbrook.
Gordon Tallis (pictured) has reportedly rejected a peace offer from Brisbane’s new coach Michael Maguire
Maguire said he and Tallis should get together for coffee, but the Broncos great declined the offer
‘What I say is just my opinion. It’s not an opinion on behalf of the old Broncos guys. Nobody tells me what to say.
“I’m paid to give my opinion and when I’m asked, I just give my honest opinion.”
Maguire’s immediate challenge in Brisbane will be to get the playing group on the same page, with questions about their attitudes following their defeat in last year’s grand final.
The club’s drop to 12th on the ladder this year marked one of the biggest drops in premiership history, despite having one of the NRL’s most star-studded squads.
Maguire has a big job to do with the Brisbane Broncos next season
Maguire will also face challenges from the Broncos’ all-powerful old boys club.
Four years after Anthony Seibold marked their ‘agendas’ upon his departure from Brisbane in 2020, it is already clear that things will be difficult for another outsider.
As well as Tallis, Broncos legend Shane Webcke has also questioned why the club would sack Walters.