Broncos coach Michael Maguire hopes to have skipper Adam Reynolds back on deck next week and insists the ongoing criticism from club legend Gorden Tallis hasn’t weighed on him ahead of the grand final rematch against the Storm.
Reynolds left the field in the final few minutes against Parramatta last week with a rib issue but then flew to Sydney for a media commitment that led Tallis to suggest it was “not great optics” for the halfback to travel if he was hurt.
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The issue has bubbled along all week and has threatened to boil over at times, but Maguire says the criticism hasn’t weighed on him.
“Not at all,” he said in Melbourne, with veteran Ben Hunt expected to start at halfback.
“At the end of the day, I look after my players and my captain. That’s my viewpoint, and everyone else has their viewpoint as well.
“Our big focus is what we’re doing tomorrow. That’s the most important thing for where we are.
“I actually thought he (Reynolds) was going to be able to play, but he was just unfortunate that he couldn’t make the trip down.
“But he’ll be all right next week. Well, I think he will be.”
Maguire has copped a lot of flak for Brisbane’s 0-2 start to the season after he helped end their premiership drought last year.
Storm counterpart Craig Bellamy called the criticism ridiculous on Thursday, while Maguire played it down as he looks to end Brisbane’s losing streak at AAMI Park on Friday night.
“To be honest, I don’t pay too much attention to it,” he said.
“As much as people say (it’s an issue) it’s more about what we’re trying to build here.
“I’m really enjoying coaching this group because we’re trying to build something that can have sustained success. Each week is another challenge, and this is no different.
“The boys will go about what they need to, and I’m very proud of the way they go about their training and what they’re trying to build here. That’s the most important thing for me.”
The Broncos have already conceded 66 points this season and take on a Storm side that has been on fire with the ball led by fullback Sua Fa’alogo.
Maguire has made changes to his side with strike centre Gehamat Shibasaki dumped to the bench just months after he played for Australia.
“Everyone plays a part in defence,” Maguire said.
“The whole game cycles on itself, so we’ve got to be better in areas to be able to help our edges.
“I’ve obviously made a couple of changes there so those boys will come in and they’ll be fighting to make sure we can stiffen up that edge.”
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