NRL: Wests Tigers players reportedly confront Michael Maguire in ‘heated’ meeting

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire had players “walking on eggshells” throughout the 2020 season, which has resulted in a “heated” confrontation.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire had players “walking on eggshells” throughout the 2020 season, which has resulted in a “heated” confrontation.

The Wests Tigers’ players have reportedly confronted head coach Michael Maguire about his selection tendencies in a “heated” team meeting on Tuesday.

Throughout the 2020 season, Maguire has frequently modified the team’s line-ups, which has left the Tigers roster “walking on eggshells”.

Speaking on NRL 360, Fox Sports reporter James Hooper revealed the squad told Maguire his brutal approach was having a detrimental effect on the players.

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“Apparently there was a really heated team meeting at Concord today where Michael Maguire, the way he likes to do business was being very direct and blunt,” Hooper said on Tuesday.

“A couple of the players said, ‘Madge, it’s not working. The way we’re doing things is not working.’

“He said, ‘What’s not working, what’s the issue?’

“They all said, ‘We’re walking on eggshells. Everybody’s scared that if you put in one bad performance, you’ll be dropped.’

“Madge has gone around the whole side, and they all said, ‘Yes, I agree, that’s how I’m feeling’.

“As a result, I don’t know what the Tigers team will look tomorrow. But I’m predicting – knowing how Madge has done business this year – he’ll probably make some more changes.”

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire.

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Maguire infamously dropped Tigers icon Benji Marshall ahead of their round five clash with the Canberra Raiders.

Despite being second in the NRL for try assists, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Marshall would not be involved with the Tigers next season.

Hooper argued halfback Luke Brooks should also face the chop: “The big one at the Tigers that is on the chopping block at the moment is Luke Brooks.

“He’s had seven seasons as the primary playmaker at that club. He’s played 145 NRL matches, and he holds the record for the most number of games without finals experience.”

NRL great Michael Ennis echoed Hooper’s comments on Saturday.

“The big question mark for me is Luke Brooks,” Ennis told Fox League.

“This is the eighth season now where he hasn’t played finals. That’s 145 games and he hasn’t played a finals game.

“Michael Maguire needs to ask if he’s the guy that can take them to win a premiership.”

This week, Maguire confirmed the Tigers will be testing combinations during the final three rounds with a focus on exploring their roster ahead of next season.

“I want to be able to see the depths of some of the people we have in the organisation,” Maguire said.

On Saturday evening, the rivalry between the Panthers and the Tigers was on full display with many blow ups throughout the heated game, which Penrith won 30-6.

The Tigers currently sit at 11th spot on the NRL ladder after winning six of their 16 encounters this season. They will come up against the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday afternoon in Sydney.