Can we just take a moment to appreciate Maguire?
Came to the club under controversial circumstances. Starts his tenure well, with a record of 5-1 to start the season, but still has to cope with the ‘works them too hard narrative’ while Bellamy gets praised for doing the same thing.
The team has a bit of a midseason slump and he can’t do anything right. Dumps Tapau for liking an Instagram comment because it doesn’t meet standards. Takes the boys out on a harbour cruise trip where there was no alcohol served and still cops it.
Despite all this raises the team from 12th on the ladder to 4th despite injury to his five-eight, halfback and winger.
Breaks the hoodoo at home against Melbourne, beats Panthers and for probably the only time in our history gets two wins in-a-row against Melbourne, coming from behind in a GF no less.
You would think this would give the guy some breathing space, afterall he did it in his first season in charge, while not blowing up the roster and keeping the existing assistant coaches.
But no, more rumblings of working the players too hard. Then Haas up and leaves, so of course this must have something to do with Maguire working him too hard.
They then lose the WCC, are poor against Panthers and not that much better against Eels. However drums are beating like his job is in the line. Keep in mind he had just won a drought breaking premiership only four games before.
Then his assistant coach up and leaves. Again, Maguire must be the reason. Te’o is praised for his ‘bravery’ whatever that means!
Takes the team to Melbourne and breaks another hoodoo and takes the team to three wins in-a-row. Nothing mentioned in the media. Then there are injuries, but poor officiating and an off night from some players stop him of four wins on the trot against the Cows.
Now, he’s off to Weatern Sydney against a red hot Tigers, gets a massive performance out of Rogers and Willison and has his old mate Reynolds conjour up a classic performance.
Some could argue the team’s defence is better after Te’o leaves, but no mention in the media about how he may have known what he was doing afterall.
Honestly, this guy needs way more credit than he is getting.
