Crawls explains the story behind Tallis - Maguire feud

The latest episode of Kenty Blitz sees Paul Crawley step in to join Warren Livingstone for a deep dive into the drama at the Brisbane Broncos and The Raging Bull V Madge .

Madge vs Tallis and the Kevvie Sacking Fallout

The discussion begins with the explosive war of words between Michael Maguire and Gordon Tallis. Crawley explains that the roots of this animosity trace back to the sacking of Kevin Walters, noting that Tallis is a fierce defender of his great mate. Tallis believes the club did the wrong thing by Walters and remains adamant that Maguire white-anted Kevvie to get the job. Crawley observes that while Maguire has denied making calls to players before the sacking, Tallis is an alpha male that never ever ever backs down and will keep throwing punches.

The fallout has extended to captain Adam Reynolds, who has pulled out of the Friday night grand final rematch against the Storm. Tallis questioned the optics of Reynolds flying to Sydney for a television appearance while carrying a rib injury, suggesting it was not what I'd want from the leader of my club. Crawley notes that while Reynolds knows his body better than anyone, the Broncos are in a precarious position after losing their first two games. He points out that Maguire himself admitted that if this were a grand final, Reynolds would be playing. With the Broncos heading to a venue where they have not won in a decade, the match feels like a make or break game despite being only round three.

Bulldogs Culture and the Bronson Xerri Situation

The panel turns its attention to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the bizarre situation involving Bronson Xerri. Rumours have swirled regarding an attitude problem and a meeting with his manager about a 2028 contract, despite it only being March. Crawley questions why such a conversation would happen now, calling it madness. He highlights a pattern of bad breakups at the club, citing the departures of Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Andrew Davey, and the handling of the Ston incident as appalling. He suggests that while players might not speak publicly, they must be thinking "am I next?" or wondering why the club has treated their mates this way.

There is also significant scuttlebutt regarding salary cap concerns at Belmore. Crawley notes that the Bulldogs have been active in the market, reportedly paying big money for players like Leo Thompson. He questions how they are fitting everyone under the cap when players like Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton are on huge money. This constant narrative of players being moved on or linked to other clubs is something Crawley believes must play on players' minds, noting that if it doesn't upset someone like Matt Burton, he is an amazing young man.

The Six Again Rule and Modern Forward Evolution

The ongoing frustration with the six-again rule remains a major talking point. Crawley argues that while the rule was refreshing when it first arrived to stop the wrestle and the chokeathon style of play, it has gone a little bit too far this year. He calls for a recalibration where referees are given the power to referee the game as they see it rather than sticking to strict KPIs. He believes the personality has been taken out of the game because teams are forced into a winning format of rugby league that mimics the Melbourne or Penrith systems.

This shift in rules has forced an evolution of the NRL forward. Crawley shares a story about Junior Paulo, who has dropped from 139 kilos to around 109 kilos to stay relevant in the modern game. He notes that big guys aren't as big as they used to be because they simply cannot keep up with the stamina required for repeat sets. Players like Jackson Ford have become revelations because they possess the fitness to go time and again. Crawley suggests the days of the specialist 14 may be over, as coaches now prefer carrying outside back depth or more mobile forwards on a six-man bench.

Seibold Under Pressure at the Sea Eagles

The episode concludes with a frank assessment of Anthony Seibold's future at Manly. Crawley argues that the club is reaching a point where they need to make a decision to back him or sack him to avoid letting the season drag on. He points to the difficult decisions looming over the roster, particularly regarding the Trbojevic brothers. Crawley highlights Jake Trbojevic's low output in recent games, noting that while he is the heart and soul of the club, two or three runs a game is just not enough output for a lock in the modern game compared to the likes of Isaah Yeo or Cameron Murray.

Crawley acknowledges that making a call on a player as inspirational as Jake would take huge balls, but it is the reality of the pressure coaches face. He defends the intense scrutiny on coaches, noting that they are in privileged, highly paid positions. While people ask why the media is so hard on them, Crawley compares the pressure to that of paramedics or police, stating that the unfortunate reality is if you don't win, your job becomes under pressure.

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