‘Needed to work harder’: Haas lifts lid on ugly Broncos season as Madge hire praised
Broncos star Payne Haas has openly discussed the team’s challenging 2024 season and expressed confidence that the addition of head coach Michael Maguire will help the club rebound. Haas believes Maguire’s influence will bring a much-needed edge to the team as they work toward achieving their potential.
Reflecting on the season, Haas was again one of the NRL’s top front-rowers when on the field, but injuries and representative duties sidelined him for 10 club games. His absence was one of the factors in Brisbane’s inability to make it back to the grand final, just a year after reaching it in 2023. Speaking with The Courier Mail, Haas admitted that there were points throughout the season when the Broncos didn’t put in the effort required to excel. “I noticed some things I won’t get too detailed about, but the main thing was that we needed to work harder,” Haas commented, signaling that he saw room for improvement in the team’s commitment.
During the season, Haas spent time with the New South Wales Blues in Origin camp under Maguire, who served as the Blues’ coach before taking on the Broncos role. Haas observed a higher standard in the way his NSW teammates approached the game. “Watching the guys in the NSW squad, I saw how they did things. I felt like we could bring some of those standards back to the Broncos,” Haas explained. He emphasized that representative camps expose players to the best in the game, and the lessons learned in such environments can elevate a team’s performance if implemented effectively. “You pick up a lot in those camps—small insights into what makes others successful—and I believe we can use that knowledge to improve at the Broncos.”
Haas also shared how Maguire’s influence during the Origin camp helped him reconsider his approach to his role with Brisbane. “The time I spent in camp with ‘Madge’ (Maguire) really made me think about how I need to approach being part of this team,” Haas said. Maguire’s direct communication and focus on hard work left an impression on Haas, who took away important lessons about what it takes to drive success in a team environment.
With Maguire’s arrival, Haas and the Broncos have approached the preseason with renewed intensity. Known for his demanding approach, Maguire has pushed the squad hard in their first week of preseason, setting a higher standard that Haas believes will benefit the team. Training sessions under Maguire’s watch have been physically grueling, with multiple players pushing themselves to exhaustion and vomit buckets visible around the training ground—a testament to the intensity being instilled at the club.
For Haas, this new approach is exactly what the Broncos need to bounce back. “Madge has a tough side, and he expects a lot, but that’s what we need,” Haas stated. “Our session last Monday was brutal, but with Madge, as long as you’re giving everything you’ve got, that’s all he asks. If everyone shows up every day with that mindset, we’re going to improve.” Haas emphasized Maguire’s emphasis on constant competition and his drive to push players to be their best. “Madge can be intense, but I think that’s exactly what we need here.”
Haas is eager to get into the rhythm of working under Maguire’s leadership and sees it as an opportunity to help the Broncos reach their potential. “I can’t wait to dig in, day after day. I’m ready to give it everything,” he added. With Haas and his teammates embracing Maguire’s philosophy, the Broncos are setting their sights on a stronger season and a chance to return to the top echelon of the league.
