Paul Kent: "There's more to it" as Te'o drama continues to cloud Broncos

Paul Kent has revealed he believes there may be more to the Ben Te'o departure from Brisbane than the club is letting on, casting doubt on the official version of events that centred on a difference in defensive philosophies.

Te'o resigned as Broncos assistant coach this week following reports of a heated exchange with head coach Michael Maguire, with tactical disagreements cited as the root cause.

Kent is not buying it.

"I'm a little bit sceptical it's actually about a difference over defensive structures," Kent said. "Michael Maguire is a head coach and whatever he says goes. Te'o might strongly believe in whatever defensive system he wants that differs from Maguire's objectives, but the fact is one guy is the boss and one guy isn't. So if the boss puts his foot down, eventually you have to toe the line or leave, which is what he's done."

Kent pointed to a history between the two men that stretches back to their time together at South Sydney, where Te'o played under Maguire during the club's 2014 premiership season. He suggested that reunion was always going to carry baggage.

"My recollection of that time was that they didn't get on during that season, and Te'o was one of the cheerleaders when Maguire got sacked at the club," Kent said. "The word is that once they came back together at Brisbane they nutted out their differences. But knowing both men, they're my kind of people. They both like to hang on to a grudge. So I think it would have been bubbling under the surface and it's finally come to fruition."

Kent was equally pointed in his assessment of how the Broncos have handled the situation off the field, suggesting the club's administration lacks the thick skin required to weather scrutiny of any kind.

"The Broncos just can't get out of their own way at the moment," he continued.

"On the field they finally got their act together last week, but off the field they've got very thin skin in that administration. They've got super egos. They don't take criticism of any kind really at all and they're very sensitive to it."

On the Te'o fallout specifically, Kent said he expected more details to emerge in time. "I think they'll basically just stick it all on Maguire and try and get away with saying it was a difference in defensive philosophies, but I think there'll be more to come out of it."

The drama adds to a turbulent start to the season for Brisbane, which has already navigated the public falling-out with club great Gorden Tallis.

The Broncos face the Dolphins in the Battle of Brisbane on Friday night without Payne Haas, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.