No hiding from the spotlight for Nathan Brown when his Warriors take on Michael Maguire’s Tigers

Michael Maguire’s future at the Wests Tigers has been a public saga for six months, but it is the man he coaches against this weekend who should be feeling the heat.

Warriors coach Nathan Brown must perform or perish. Picture: NRL Photos

There is much more than two competition points on the line when the Wests Tigers meet the Warriors at Campbelltown.

The men in charge of the teams – Michael Maguire and Nathan Brown – desperately need a victory to relieve pressure that has been slowly building since the back end of 2021.

Madge’s future has been played out publicly for six months.

The Tales from Tigertown documentary on Fox Sports last year provided a fascinating insight into a struggling coach who has finished 9th, 11th and 13th in his three years at the Wests Tigers.

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Warriors coach Nathan Brown should be doing better with the team under his control. Picture: NRL Photos

Maguire came across as a man who had just about run out of ideas.

That his rev-up style and motivation of the team had gone almost stale.

Brown on the other hand has escaped with little or no scrutiny.

This is surprising considering his coaching results over the last six years at the Newcastle Knights and the Warriors, which included two wooden spoons.

He has only a 26 per cent winning record at the two clubs.

Interestingly Brown got the job at the Warriors on the rebound, only when Todd Payten knocked it back to take on the North Queensland Cowboys.

Michael Maguire feels like a coach running out of idea. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Not even his close friendship with CEO Cameron George and owner Mark Robinson will guarantee his job if the Warriors don’t improve on the premiership ladder.

Brown has a better football team than Maguire.

Addin Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge, combined with lock Josh Curran, are as willing and formidable as almost any middle combination in the NRL.

You should be able to build a competitive side around the above trio and matchwinners of the calibre of Reece Walsh and Shaun Johnson.

For both coaches it’s either perform or perish. It’s as simple as that.

WARRIOR’S SHOCK DECISION OVER RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND

A surprise addition to the NRL off-contract player market has emerged with Euan Aitken on the lookout for a new club for next season.

Aitken made it clear there was no bad blood behind his decision to request a release from the final year of his contract.

He said it was just a matter of him needing to stay living in Australia next year for family reasons when the Warriors are due to return to New Zealand.

It comes ahead of the Warriors’ important clash against Wests Tigers on Friday night with Aitken conceding: “I really haven’t got a clue where I may end up”.

Euan Aitken is on the lookout for a new club for 2023. Picture: NRL Photos

Aitken, 26, was signed to a three-year deal that wasn’t due to end until the end of 2023, but he is now free to negotiate with rivals for next season.

He thanked the club and coach Nathan Brown for granting his request.

“The club was really good about it when we approached them,” Aitken said in a statement.

“Brownie has always shown great care for his players and I am grateful that they understood my situation.

“I really haven’t got a clue where I may end up next year but my focus is playing some good footy in the next month or so and hopefully things sort themselves out quickly.”

After forging a career in the centres at St George Illawarra where at one point he was in the conversation for a NSW spot, Aitken has adjusted well to his switch to playing edge back row with the position suiting his running game.

Aitken has already clocked up 137 NRL games including 46 tries after debuting for the Dragons in 2015.

1000-DAY WAIT FOR NRL NOMADS IS FINALLY OVER

The Warriors are heading home – finally.

Warriors CEO Cameron George has declared the club are planning to host their first major rugby league game in New Zealand in more than two and a half years.

“Our first game back against Wests Tigers on July 3 will be one of the biggest and certainly the most emotional in the club’s history,’’ George said.

The Mt Smart faithful will be delighted with the news.

“We want to see the place packed to the rafters for what will be an unforgettable occasion.

“As a club we can’t wait for that day. We’re so thrilled fans will have the opportunity at last to see their team at our home.”

The moment the Warriors have been waiting for is now a possibility due to the New Zealand Government’s decision to remove a wide range of Covid-19 related restrictions.

As well as abolishing outdoor gathering limits, the Government has confirmed a significant loosening of vaccine pass requirements, most vaccine mandates and QR code scanning while masks will no longer be required at outdoor venues.

“It’s fantastic news for all the long-suffering rugby league fans and for sports organisations like ours,” George said.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern watched the Warriors the last time they played at home.

“Until now we were cautiously optimistic families, members, fans and sponsors would at last be able to see the team playing in front of them at Mount Smart.

“But now we’re confident and hugely excited about the way being cleared for a return to our true home.’’

The match against Wests Tigers will be the Warriors’ first at Mount Smart Stadium since they hosted South Sydney on August 30, 2019, while the last major rugby league game played in New Zealand was the second Test between the Kiwis and Great Britain in Christchurch on November 9, 2019.

Originally published as No hiding from the spotlight for Nathan Brown when his Warriors take on Michael Maguire’s Tigers