New Tigers coach Michael Maguire on off-field behaviour and reinventing his side’s attack

From off-field standards to a completely new look in attack, Tigers coach Michael Maguire is confident fans can expect things to be different both on and off the field this season.

Justin Pascoe and new coach Michael Maguire.

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New Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is confident fans can expect things to be different both on and off the field this season.

Maguire has made it clear to his players that any kind of misbehaviour will not be tolerated at the club.

“I talk about that openly with my players, my stance is that we want to build a very strong club here on and off the park. I think everyone is aware of what is required to do that and that is what we are moving towards,” Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.

The Tigers had to deal with their own off-field drama when Zane Musgrove was charged with indecent assault in December, relating to an incident that occurred two days after his signing was announced.

The NRL is yet to register his contract and Maguire was reluctant to comment on Musgrove’s immediate future but he insisted the forward will be held to the same account as the rest of the playing group.

Maguire wants to change the ethos at the Tigers. Picture by Brett Costello.

“We have high standards here at the club and we have players that are moving through certain things at the moment. They need to work through that but they’re well aware of the standards,” he said.

“For us, we want to grow this club, there are a lot of passionate fans who want to see this club rise.”

On the field, the Tigers will be new and improved. The premiership winning coach has spent the preseason re-engineering his side’s attack.

Under Ivan Cleary’s defensive focus, the points dried up and the Tigers finished 2018 with the second worst attack in the competition behind wooden spooners Parramatta, with only 61 tries to their name.

To reverse that unflattering statistic, Maguire has worked on unlocking the potential he has in every combination on the field.

He’s hoping it’s a style of football that can return the Tigers to the finals for the first time since 2011.

“The way we play will be different compared to what they’ve done in the past,” he said.

“The difference will be in how the style of each halve plays.

What can we expect from the Tigers in 2019. Picture by Wests Tigers.

“Each halfback has their little qualities that I like to build into our attack to compliment the combinations around them.

“Chris Lawrence and Luke Brooks have played a lot of footy together. I have been able to change bits of pieces around their game and connection on the left edge. They are things across the park I want to build within our attack.”

While the battle between Josh Reynolds and Benji Marshall to partner Brooks in the halves is yet to be won, Maguire indicated he was closer to solving his selection dilemma in the backrow.

Currently, new signing Ryan Matterson is leading the race for the right edge spot but even he is facing stiff competition to secure his place.

“He’s skilful and he also knows when to be that backrower that needs to punch and do his job. He’s got a good blend in his game,” Maguire said.

“I’ve got a very competitive group there in the backrow. I’ve got people like Chris McQueen, who I’ve worked with before, and he’s played Origin and grand finals so the quality is there. Then I have players like Luke Garner coming through and Robbie Rochow.

“But look, I have been very impressed with Ryan Matterson.”

Originally published as New Tigers coach Michael Maguire on off-field behaviour and reinventing his side’s attack