MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Michael Maguire’s tough love tactics paying off as Brisbane Broncos thrash Roosters

I’ll tell you a little story that sums up Michael Maguire to a tee.

Last year his young bloke Kaden came to visit me at Spudd’s Gym and got stuck into his training alongside another teenager I looked after – a 15-year-old by the name of Harry.

Harry was a regular at my personal torture chamber but this was Kaden’s introduction.

Wanting to make a good impression, Maguire Jnr went full on in an attempt to keep up with Harry.

He was doing really well until he inevitably hit a wall, turned white and hurriedly made his way to the exit.

He parted ways with that morning’s breakfast in the kerb before making his way back into the gym to start back up again.

The next day Madge is on the phone to me.

But he’s not an irate father ready to launch into me for pushing his son too hard.

The complete opposite, in fact.

“How’s good that, Spudd! Nothing wrong with taking it to the limits. The young fella will get plenty out of that,” Madge excitedly told me.

I recalled that story as I watched Brisbane dismantle the Roosters in one of the most dominant round one performances we’ve seen in years.

From the reports coming out of the Broncos, this is the toughest off-season they’ve had in a long time.

There were the usual complaints – always from anonymous sources – that some players found it too gruelling and Madge’s methods too intense.

That wouldn’t have worried the coach.

He’s a big believer in training like you play so that the game becomes the easy part.

And things certainly looked comfortable for the Broncos as they piled on 50 points against the clueless Chooks.

The two front rowers – Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas – produced stats that were off the charts.

They combined for around 35 hit-ups and 400 metres.

They were making 10, 11, 12 metres and more with each carry and the halves fed off that front foot footy.

Everything Brisbane did was at pace and you can’t do that without the relentless pre-season sessions Madge put his team through.

Those sacrifices are worth it when you produce football like that.

But knowing Madge as I do, he would have jumped off that charter flight back to Brisbane and got straight into planning for Brisbane’s next match.

This is a guy who once told me sleep was overrated after I expressed surprise he returned a text message of mine at 4.45am the night after the Blues secured last year’s State of Origin series.

I also love the fact he deeply cares for his players away from football.

All coaches say they do but Michael actually does it with deeds, not words.

The story of him travelling to Selwyn Cobbo’s hometown Cherbourg to meet the winger’s family and gain an understanding of where the young bloke grew up is typical Madge.

There’s no secret Cobbo had his off-field issues last year and didn’t want to know about rugby league as he battled a few demons.

Madge wanted to know what made the 22-year-old tick and came away from that trip with a greater appreciation of the challenges facing the Broncos flyer.

And didn’t Cobbo look a different – and happier – player as he flashed over for three tries against the Roosters.

The Broncos look scarily good under Maguire.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Give me a footballer with a point to prove and I will show you a world beater.

I moved clubs a few times during my career and always wanted to make an immediate statement at my new joint to show my former employer what they were missing.

If round one proved anything, it reminded us a player on a redemption mission can be an extremely valuable asset.

Two former Roosters – Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua - were outstanding in their respective club debuts at the weekend.

In a losing cause, May was without doubt the West Tigers’ best player against Newcastle.

Slated to only play around 40 minutes – that’s an argument for another day! – May ended up racking up over an hour and terrorised the Knights for every second he was out there.

How the Roosters let this bloke go is beyond me and everyone else in rugby league.

They are so down on strike forwards yet let May walk.

It’s the same deal with Tupouniua.

The Chooks allowed him to look around despite having years to run on his contract.

I know he’s had some injury issues in recent times, but Canterbury couldn’t believe their good fortune.

Forwards of international quality aren’t usually couriered to your front door like this.

Tupouniua was simply outstanding in the Dogs’ win over St George Illawarra and already looks to be one of the buys of the year.

It must be killing Roosters fans to see Tupouniua and May running around in opposition colours.