That could open the door for train and trialist Latrell Siegwalt to press his case, should he convince Maguire of his credentials in the preseason.
Siegwalt was brought to the Redcliffe Dolphins by current Brisbane assistant Ben Te’o, and shone in his maiden Queensland Cup campaign at both fullback and five-eighth.
The Wagga Wagga product is in line to challenge fellow trialist Hayze Perham to replace the departing Tristan Sailor as Walsh’s deputy, and his versatility could push him ahead of the queue.
Sailor, who began his stint at Red Hill on a train and trial deal, starred in Walsh’s injury and State of Origin absences to ultimately garner a three-year deal with English Super League giants St Helens.
The Broncos hope to fill their final top 30 spot with veteran halfback Ben Hunt. However, his price tag may force the club to lean towards a budget option such as Siegwalt or Perham.
“Adversity comes, and you just have to deal with it. We’re trying to build a really strong next man mentality here.”
Reece Walsh
“Obviously having Tritto go over to the UK I’m really happy for him, I know he’s going to go over there and kill it,” Walsh said.
“He’s told me he’s going to be one of the best in the comp. But there’s some really good talent – Latrell and Lachie West, and I think Hayze isn’t back at training yet, but I know all the boys are hungry.”
Siegwalt has now been aligned with Souths Logan Magpies under coach Karmichael Hunt, and the Broncos premiership-winner had seen enough of him, rugby union convert Glen Vaihu and hooker Callum Eggerling, to suggest they could handle the rigours of the Maguire regimen.
“The three boys we’ve got there – Glen, Callum and Latrell – they’re there because we believe they’re the top tier of our team,” Hunt said.
“They must earn their jersey, but they’re already a step ahead of everyone else with their potential.”
