The whirlwind appointment of Michael Maguire has ushered in a new dawn at Red Hill, with the former NSW coach taking over at Brisbane on a three-year deal.
Maguire is undoubtedly stepping into a difficult situation at the Broncos with the wounds still fresh from favourite son Kevin Walters’ abrupt departure after a tumultuous season.
The former Blues coach has plenty of spot fires to put out as he prepares to spark a revival, with a new choice of captain just one possible avenue to pursue.
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Could the Broncos be set to replace Adam Reynolds as captain?
It was a year of change at the top for NRL clubs this season with several coaches electing to appoint new captains ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Todd Payten punted Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend in favour of Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter, Cameron Ciraldo elected to appoint Stephen Crichton as the Canterbury skipper after axing Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney, while Harry Grant took over from veteran forward Christian Welch at Melbourne.
Maguire could go down a similar route to try and kickstart the Broncos under his tenure with current skipper Adam Reynolds entering his final year at the club.
"I’ll talk to Reyno about that," Maguire replied when asked if the halfback would remain as his captain.
"He’s a leader. So, I’ll get to the players and find out where they’re at and we’ll make decisions going forward, but he’ll be a part of those decisions."
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Payne Haas has been a cornerstone of the club's forward pack alongside former captain Patrick Carrigan.
The duo loom as the most likely candidates to replace Reynolds, should he be relieved of his duties in 2025.
Carrigan previously served as Brisbane’s captain during the doomed reign of Anthony Seibold, before Reynolds arrived from South Sydney to lighten the burden on him.
Meanwhile, Maguire formed a close bond with Haas during their victorious State of Origin campaign this year with the prop impressing the hard-nosed coach in his approach.
"Payne was incredible," Maguire stated.
"It was the first time I got the chance to spend time with him and we know the incredible person he is but the knowledge I feel he and I can lift the group with - I saw him do it in Origin.
"He was a leader and in a leadership group within the Origin space. He spoke very strongly about what he wanted in that space which helped me immensely...He’s very hungry to succeed, that’s what I like about him."
