“I loved every minute coaching the Blues,” said Maguire, who denied Billy Slater’s Maroons a hat-trick of titles.
“To feel the support of a state, and everyone that was involved in the team, players and staff, it was an incredible momentum.
“That’s what makes me hungry to want to go back and coach more and more in the NRL space.
“The NSWRL were great and very understanding. The position was very rewarding and naturally I expected to be doing it again next year but they’ve always known that I see myself as a career coach and I do miss club coaching.”
“The players and the staff were incredible, absolutely incredible,” he said.
“I think they’re in a place where they can take things forward with or without me.
“I was only one piece of the puzzle. Everyone had to play their part to be where they are now and the group is set up to keep building on our success this year.
“I suppose if you can bleed for the cause, that’s what I like building ... I actually like building something that can be self-sustainable and keep rolling.
“The staff are in place. The NSW players understand what it takes, they’ve built the expectations, so there’s no reason why it can’t keep progressing in the way it has.
“It will be hard to leave because coaching at Origin level probably gave me a lot more than I expected. It taught me a lot. I think it’s made me a way better coach.
“Many of the things that it’s given me is what I’m going to take moving forward, which is this opportunity in front of me.”
“I like that Brisbane’s got that prestige, it’s a huge club and brand,” he said.
“A challenge like that makes you hungry for more.
“It’s not the first time I’ve talked about wanting this role.
“I love the big clubs. All NRL clubs are big in their own way but the Broncos mean a lot to the town.
“It’s got a big space in the competition. They fill a big space in the competition.
“I’m looking forward to being able to try and take all the different talents but then build a character around the team.”
“The club’s been able to create that image because of their success (winning six premierships from 1992-2006),” Maguire said.
“Like the people before us have been able to create that, it’s about, to me, working towards that and being in that same space.
“You can talk about it, or you can create it and do it, so I guess that’s something there to aspire to.
“Whoever’s involved at this present moment can be a part of those conversations (of NRL greatness) if you achieve that status (winning a premiership).
“Being able to be a part of the legacy of those great teams over periods of time is something that would be a really enjoyable part of coaching the Broncos.
“If this crop of players succeeds at the Broncos, they can put their names next to some of the greatest players that have ever played the game.”
