This time last year Michael Maguire was gearing up to coach NSW to an historic State of Origin series win.
That ultimately played a huge part in Madge being head-hunted to replace Kevin Walters as Broncos coach.
Now a year on and the upcoming Origin period is threatening to bring Maguire undone.
When Maguire arrived it wasn’t as if his drill sergeant reputation was any secret after what unfolded previously at the Rabbitohs and the Tigers.
What is a surprise is that just 10 rounds into the new season there are already rumblings some players are growing increasingly frustrated with Madge’s coaching style after bombing a 14-nil lead against a severely-depleted Rabbitohs.
That makes it four losses in their last five games, and it is certainly showing that something clearly is not quite right.
But to hear Johnathan Thurston come out and publicly question their body language and highlight the fact they appeared to be “playing on eggshells” must surely have sounded alarm bells in Brisbane.
Thurston explained of what he witnessed after Latrell’s try near fulltime: “I turned around here to look at the Broncos and they were just scattered.
“They were absolutely scattered.
“They were just so distant from each other, so far inside their own heads – it’s like they’re playing on eggshells.
“Are they better football side than they were 12 months ago?
“We all thought Michael McGuire was coming in to put a hard edge to the Broncos.
“Well, their last five games and their second half fade outs, there’s no hard edge to them at all.”
Coming from one of the legends of the game, that is explosive feedback.
And it should send a shudder through the entire Broncos’ operation given how they ran a club legend out of the coaching job a season after Walters took them to a grand final.
WATER-SQUIRTING TRAINER SHOULD BE BANNED FOR THE SEASON
Penrith trainer Shane Elford should be banned from his match-day duties for the rest of the season after vision emerged of him squirting water on the ball before kick offs.
While some have attempted to make out this type of thing happens all the time and is no big deal, that’s an absolute cop out.
If it was one of the players wetting the ball you’d live with it.
But to see a blue shirt trainer disrespecting such a privileged position to sneakily try and gain an unfair advantage is a slap in the face to the spirit the game should be played in.
Regardless of whether it was Elford’s idea or someone from the coaching staff sent him out to do it, this should not be tolerated.
Seriously, are the four-time premiers going that bad that they need their trainer pouring water (you’d hope it’s only water) on the ball before multiple kick offs to try and make it harder for the opposition players to catch?
Todd Payen told The Daily Telegraph” He did it before every kick-off. We noticed it in the box. I will let the NRL handle it.”
It’s since emerged a Cowboys trainer was also spotted doing the same thing before giving the ball to Jake Clifford to kick off during the second half of golden point.
Maybe the Cowboys had taken the view if you can’t beat them, join them.
At least on that occasion referee Todd Smith spotted it and called for an extra ball.
But what about the hide of them thinking that they could get away with it in the first place, despite so many TV cameras following every move on the field.