The Broncos’ decision to restrict the media’s access at training in 2025 has taken a twist after reports Channel 7 was banned from the player press conference ahead of the blockbuster preliminary final game. The Broncos are hosting the Panthers this weekend at Suncorp in a highly-anticipated NRL preliminary final showdown.
Although under Michael Maguire media access has been restricted at Red Hill since taking over as head coach. And now the club has come to a loggerhead with broadcaster Channel 7. The broadcaster did not have any media access to the Broncos’ only player press conference this week because they were accused of filming a ‘private’ training session, according to The Courier Mail.
The publication reports the broadcaster was accused of having cameras at two sessions that were not publicised as open to the media. And this prompted Broncos officials to take action. Despite the brief move from the Broncos, the decision will most likely be lifted if Maguire’s men defeat the Panthers and reach the NRL grand final next week.
Under Maguire, the stricter access to training sessions has raised eyebrows in 2025. Under the likes of Kevin Walters and former coaches, media had plenty of access to Broncos training throughout the week. Fans or locals walking by could also stand and watch their team train in the Brisbane sun.
However, under Maguire there has been a shift with the media only allowed to film the first 15 minutes of one training session a week. The change could have been prompted to avoid tactics and game plans circulating back to rival teams.
Although the Broncos’ training paddock is open. The latest move has certainly raised eyebrows with suggestions it goes against what made the Broncos a fan-first club for so long in Brisbane. It was suggested the move, a similar plan adopted by both NSW and Queensland in State of Origin, was ‘pointless’.
Michael Maguire defends Broncos methods
Only recently Maguire defended the Broncos after claims the club was closed off from the fans. “One thing I do know about this club is it’s about the people,” he said back in July. “We talk about it internally all the time. The fans and the fact that we have 40,000-plus and we’re all chasing sell-out crowds. The players talk about it.
We want to bring the people on the run. That’s part of it. The boys have found the style of how we want to play, and we want to get the people behind it. I think as much as that might be the look, (if) you walk the streets, it’s definitely all about the people.”
Michael Maguire’s tough training methods
Maguire’s training methods have been under scrutiny ever since he took over at Red Hill with suggestions he can push his players too hard too early. Earlier in the season, Maguire defended his decision to take players off to a pre-season ‘police camp’ after backlash from veteran journalist Phil Rothfield about his ‘old school’ methods.
There were fears Maguire’s team would fade at the end of the season after a brutal pre-season, but the Broncos have reached the preliminary final and are one win away from the NRL grand final. The players have rallied around Maguire and he has proven a firm hand has so far worked at Red Hill.
Maguire has been doing things his own way and even went against calls to reinstate Ezra Mam this weekend. Adam Reynolds has been catapulted right back into the No.7 jersey to play the Panthers after missing a number of weeks with a hamstring injury.
While Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns suggested Mam should start if fit, Maguire has named the five-eighth on the bench to come on and add impact. Regardless, Broncos legend Gorden Tallis recently stated Broncos coaches are judged on whether they win titles or not, due to the proud history of the club.
“They’re judged on winning grand finals, that’s where they’re judged,” Tallis said. “A coach (Walters) got sacked three minutes away from winning one. “So you get judged on … winning. That’s it, end of story.”
