Michael Maguire makes mockery of Kevin Walters decision in shock move with Patrick Carrigan

New Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has torched Kevin Walters' decision to allow Kobe Hetherington to leave the club and is reportedly considering starting him at lock and moving Patrick Carrigan to prop. Walters told Hetherington he was free to leave the Broncos last year if he could secure a deal with another club, with the Dragons and Wests Tigers expressing interest.

But one of the first things Maguire did when replaced the sacked Walters as coach was tell Hetherington he still had a future in Brisbane. And the new coach has now made a complete mockery of Walters' decision by considering thrusting Hetherington into a starting role for 2025.

According to the Courier Mail, Maguire is considering moving Carrigan to front-row and starting Hetherington at lock. It would be a bold call from Maguire, but the new coach is keen to shake things up and turn the struggling club around.

While Carrigan's preference is to remain at lock, he's played prop for Queensland and Australia and would be willing to put club before himself. A move to the front-row alongside Payne Haas would give the Broncos a formidable 1-2 up front, while also allowing Hetherington to get more minutes in the 13 jersey.

While Walters effectively gave up on Hetherington and was willing to let him leave, Maguire sees huge potential in the versatile forward and views him as a key piece in 2025. Broncos captain Adam Reynolds refers to Hetherington as "our cattledog" for his tenacious and aggressive style - two things that Maguire values greatly and wants to instil in all players.

Kobe Hetherington thankful for Michael Maguire's faith

The 25-year-old has played 78 NRL games - all from the interchange bench - and would love a starting spot at the Broncos. "Everyone wants to start. That's my goal and what I am trying to do this pre-season," he said on Thursday. "It's a big challenge but I'm up for it. I just have to keep training hard and stay injury free but I have got to give myself every opportunity to get that jersey."

It is always good to know people want you and it raises your confidence but I never really wanted to leave here. I've only ever been at this club since I was straight out of school. I love everything about this club and the direction we are going in. It's home to me.

"Madge focuses on all the little things ... working from the inside, tying in and real hard work. This training is my sort of style. I like all that hard work and we're really focusing on defence."

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Hetherington said his long-term goal was "definitely" to stay at the Broncos beyond his current contract. The 25-year-old believes the team can rise from their 12th placed finish in 2024 to win the comp this season.

"(Last year) burns at you but you can't dwell on it," he said. "It is always going to be in the back of your head how we went last year but we have got to keep training hard and it gives you motivation to work harder. We are focused on going into round one against the Roosters fit and healthy. We will start there but everyone's goal is to win a premiership."

with AAP