Penrith’s Chris Grevsmuhl opens up on his South Sydney exit and blast at Michael Macguire

CHRIS Grevsmuhl left South Sydney with a parting shot at coach Michael Maguire. But the outspoken forward says he has nothing but love for his former boss.

CHRIS Grevsmuhl is no loudmouth. Nor does this Penrith enforcer chase controversy.

“But I’m honest,’’ he says, simply. “Won’t leave people wondering.

“My family are all like that too. It’s how they raised me. They’ve always said it’s far better to be honest now ... otherwise you’ll only be found out later on.”

Sitting with The Daily Telegraph after a training session at Panthers HQ, Grevsmuhl is opening up on the most controversial — not to mention exposed — fortnight of his fledgling NRL career.

Only a fortnight ago, this 23-year-old Townsville product was forced out of South Sydney after the working relationship between he and coach Michael Maguire spectacularly imploded.

As a parting shot, the young enforcer labelled Maguire a “mind game specialist”. Accused him of breaking players down.

And then, within days, continued the storyline by not only scoring a try against his old club, but effectively proved the difference as Penrith upset Souths 28-26.

Asked why he chose to speak out about the Maguire saga, Grevsmuhl says now: “I didn’t want Souths fans thinking I just walked out on them.

“Didn’t want them believing I’d left just because our results on the field were going down.

“That’s why I came out. I wanted everyone to know the truth. And people can take the truth however they like. I just thought they should know.”

While he hasn’t reached out to Maguire since making his feelings public, the new Panther harbours no grudge against the man who provided his NRL debut.

“I have so much love for Souths, because they gave me my opportunity,’’ the 2015 Indigenous All Star continues. “And I have so much love for Madge outside footy.

“He’s a decent bloke, a wonderful family man. But in the football scene, the way our relationship was going, I just couldn’t do it.

“Outside football, our relationship was great. But when it came to footy, no, there wasn’t much happiness in the end.”

While some feared the publicity would impact negatively on Grevsmuhl’s new gig out west, the young Panther insists there have been no problems.

But as for wether the saga has made him rethink his media availability?

“No, not at all,’’ he says. “It hasn’t put any extra pressure on me, either.

“I spoke with Hook (Penrith coach Anthony Griffin) who just told me to get around the boys here and get the happiness back. And I have. I’m loving training again.

“These days, rugby league is a job and it’s easy to lose sight of the happiness. Of why you started playing in the first place. But to have a fresh start, a new opportunity, it’s allowed me to regain it.

“So I owe a lot to Hook. He’s given me the opportunity to come here and show everyone what I’ve got.”

Originally published as Penrith’s Chris Grevsmuhl opens up on his South Sydney exit and blast at Michael Macguire