Michel Maguire has shut down excuses ahead of the NRL grand final, but the Broncos might be at a disadvantage.
Riley Morgan, Sports Reporter
Updated Tue 30 September 2025 at 11:56 pm GMT+1
4 min read
Matty Johns has claimed the Broncos will be at a disadvantage against the Storm on grand final day after coach Michael Maguire rubbished suggestions the extra two days rest will tip the scales. Craig Bellamy’s side qualified for the NRL grand final on Friday after defeating the Sharks at AAMI Park.
Bellamy’s side had the fortune of sitting back and watching the Broncos play a gruelling encounter against the Penrith Panthers two days later at Suncorp. Maguire’s side emerged victorious 16-14 thanks to some spirited efforts from Payne Haas and Reece Walsh magic on a warm Brisbane afternoon.
But plenty has been made of the NRL’s decision to separate the two preliminary finals by two days, which was always going hand either the Sharks or Storm an advantage. Kevin Walters warned his former side the Storm would be ‘fresher’ for the grand final with their draw also seemingly easier than that of the Broncos.
But Maguire was very quick to shut down suggestions his team were entering the grand final at a disadvantage. While the Storm have been afforded and extra two days to recover and prepare, Maguire feels seven days is enough time to be in top shape for the biggest game of the season.
“I reckon that’s a talking point that you guys will dance around, that’s a lot of garbage,” Maguire said after the prelim victory. “Players play on Wednesday, and they play on a Friday in our competition. We’ve got seven days to get ready, perfect.”
Although speaking on SEN Radio, Johns can’t get over the notion the Storm will walk into the grand final better prepared due to the draw. Johns pointed out the Storm didn’t play the most gruelling game against the Sharks with the whistle making it a stop-start game on a cool night. Meanwhile, the Broncos toiled away in the Brisbane heat to advance two days later. Johns was adamant the Storm will walk into the final with an advantage after watching their rivals play a day game.
“Look, Madge has done the right thing by saying two days extra is all rubbish. But it is a significant factor. Not just the two days, but the nature of the games they played in,” Johns said on Tuesday.
The Friday night game, was really stop-start. It was played at a moderate tempo. But Sunday, was just breakneck speed. Hot conditions. After watching Canberra…after what they endured. Similar conditions in a lot of ways, you saw the toll it took on them.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster to star
Johns also predicted the spine of the Storm could cause havoc on a weary Broncos forward pack. Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen were at their best against the Sharks and will have concocted a game plan for their clash against the Broncos. And Johns feels as the game drags on, the Storm’s spine will find a way.
“That combination of that spine, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant they are just masters, in combination, of just blowing an opposition’s middle apart. That’s where I think they will get them. The fatigue combined…”
Coaches admit ‘unfair’ grand final fixture
Maguire’s defiant response comes after Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and Storm counterpart Bellamy both suggested the extra days of rest were an advantage for the grand final. “It’s definitely unfair,” Cleary said, before the defeat to the Broncos. “At the end of the day, if that’s our problem next week, I’ll be pretty happy.”
