Broncos coaching role will appeal to Maguire

MICHAEL Maguire has expressed his interest in coaching the Broncos as Brisbane bosses ramp up their search for Wayne Bennett’s replacement at Red Hill.

Speaking for the first time about the Broncos post, Maguire says he is keeping his options open and is keen to talk to Brisbane’s hierarchy if they believe he is the right man to succeed Bennett in 2020.

The former Souths premiership- winning mentor is one of the most sought- after coaches, with Maguire being strongly tipped to take over from Trent Barrett at Manly.

But the Broncos are another option, with Brisbane powerbrokers understood to have identified a number of candidates to replace Bennett, including Maguire, Souths’ Anthony Seibold and Maroons coach Kevin Walters.

The Broncos could have their next coach finalised before Christmas, and Maguire last night said the prospect of calling the shots at Queensland’s flagship NRL club had genuine appeal.

“I’m open to that ( coaching the Broncos),” Maguire said.

“If ever the time was right to talk to people at the Broncos, I would certainly consider that and any other opportunity.” SEAN O’Sullivan will become the most inexperienced player to feature in an NRL grand final in 43 years if he takes the field for the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

O’Sullivan ( pictured) was selected on an extended bench on Tuesday as cover for the injured Cooper Cronk.

However, he could come on to the bench or start at halfback if Cronk fails to overcome a shoulder injury to line up against the Storm.

Utility Mitchell Aubusson was named at halfback with the Roosters training behind closed doors all week, but it’s anticipated either O’Sullivan or Ryan Matterson will feature in the halves if Cronk is unavailable.

If O’Sullivan comes into the 17, he would be the first player to feature in a grand final with just one first grade game under his belt since John Rheinberger for the Roosters in 1975.

If he was to go one step further and start at halfback his rise would be even more unprecedented – making him the first No. 7 in grand final history to have played only one firstgrade game. MANLY have failed in their attempt to be cleared of salary cap cheating after being knocked back by the NRL appeals committee.

The NRL’s punishment against the Sea Eagles will stand after the committee, headed by Ian Callinan QC, supported the NRL’s determination that the club had illegally guaranteed third- party agreements.

The Sea Eagles appealed the NRL’s sanctions after they were hit with a $ 750,000 fine in March and had $ 330,000 stripped off their salary caps for 2018 and 2019.

The club said they would not take the issue any further despite having further avenues for appeal.

“While the club felt it had strong grounds for appeal the finding from the determination and appeal committee is that they believe that the club contravened rule 26 of the PCR ( player contract and remuneration) rules …,” the club said in a statement.

“While additional appeal options lay open to it, the club has confirmed that in the interests of allowing its members, players, sponsors and fans the opportunity to move forward, the club will now focus on its 2019 and beyond seasons.”