‘Pretty petty and small’: Matty’s powerful message to Broncos in passionate Gordie defence

Matty Johns has delivered a powerful message to the Broncos after they renamed a conference room previously named in Gorden Tallis’ honour, declaring the club has made themselves look “pretty petty and pretty small”.

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CODE Sports reported earlier in the week that Brisbane had instead decided to rename the conference room in honour of NRLW legend Ali Brigginshaw, having gained access to an email from CEO Dave Donaghy to staff confirming as much.

“Brisbane Broncos recognise the positive contributions and ongoing support of a number of club legends by way of naming various meeting rooms within the Clive Berghofer Centre,” Donaghy said in the email.

“The naming of the Ali Brigginshaw meeting room recognises her outstanding contribution to the Broncos club since the inception of the NRLW program, including leading the Club to four NRLW Premierships.”

It comes after an outspoken Tallis was critical of captain Adam Reynolds earlier in the week, while he has also been involved in a longstanding feud with coach Michael Maguire.

While Tallis himself played down the ongoing drama and insisted he was “fine with it”, Johns said otherwise on Sunday in a strong message directed to the Broncos.

“Gorden is outspoken. Gorden is one of those blokes, you love him because he just says what he thinks,” Johns said on Fox League’s ‘Sunday Night with Matty Johns’.

“I’ve never ever seen Gorden have an opinion or try to fabricate something for a personal gain. He just tells it like it is.

“I disagree with Gorden sometimes. I thought when Madge was appointed he was the perfect man for Brisbane. Gorden doesn’t. That’s fine because we’re mates.

“I heard him interviewed today and he said, ‘I don’t care. I don’t care’. He cares. You think about how much he’s done for that club. He captained that club. He loves those blokes he played alongside.

“For the Broncos to remove his name, I’ve got to say to the Broncos: you’re the number one sporting club in rugby league, in the world, but I’ll tell you what, what you’ve done makes yourselves look pretty petty and pretty small.”

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Tallis addressed his former club’s move on Sunday afternoon on Triple M, refuting any suggestions he had taken it personally while declaring “they can’t take away my memories”.

“I’m good. I’m fantastic. Nothing has changed in my life. Not one bit… I’m fine with it,” he said.

“They’re fine. I respect their stance. Don’t worry about it, move on. I’m in a business and it is opinionated.

“No I don’t. Why would I (be hurting)? Come on. They can’t take away my memories. They can’t take away what I did. No one can. No one can take away what you do in your life. I’m a Dragon. I’m a Bronco and I’m a Tiger. I’m a rugby league fan.”

Johns was not the only one to take issue with Brisbane’s actions. Speaking on Triple M Radio on Saturday afternoon, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio also called it a “petty” move from the Broncos.

“I firmly believe that just because you don’t agree with Gordie’s opinion, just because he’s having his say at this time — and a very staunch opinion no doubt, I get it. But he’s also paid to have that opinion,” Riccio said.

“The fact that he holds that say, it shouldn’t sway away from what he has done for the football club.

“If the Parramatta Eels took umbrage about everything that former great Ray Price said about the club over the past 20 years, there would not be a statue outside of the front of CommBank Stadium… the Broncos firmly believe it’s slanted against Madge due to the fact Gordie has a very tight relationship with Kevvie Walters and then second to that is now the assertion in and around their captain Adam Reynolds.

“The Broncos have had enough. They’ve taken this stance. I think it’s too far. I think it’s petty.”