Head Coach Michael Maguire has given his insights into our Round 17 clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in Cairns on Sunday.
The Round 17 clash with the Cowboys will see the Red and Green men venture north for an interstate home game, as well as marking a significant individual milestone for Rabbitohs veteran, John Sutton, who will run out for his record-breaking 250th top grade game in the Red and Green.
Maguire was full of praise for the Souths junior, paying tribute to the dedication and leadership that he has shown for the Club over the years.
“John’s obviously been here for a long time and for a player in a club with so much history to be playing 250, it’s a great honour for him and great to be a part of,” said Magurie.
“He’s obviously got great leadership and great presence around the team.
“To play 250 games – even to play one game – they’re milestones that players get, but I think to play for a club of such rich history, it’s going to be a special day.
“These sort of things, you get behind one of your good mates in John – I’d like to see the boys lift.”
Despite playing a home fixture deep within enemy territory, Maguire is excited by the prospect of seeing a strong cohort of Rabbitohs supporters turn out in force at Barlow Park come Sunday.
“Obviously (we’re) looking forward to getting up to Cairns and seeing all of our great fans. We’ve got a fair following up there,” said Maguire.
“I’m expecting it’s going to be a full house. I’m really looking forward to it.
“Obviously it is a bit of a home town for the North Queensland guys, but I know that there’s a lot of Rabbitohs supporters up there, so it will be good to look out and see who’s got the most jumpers in the crowd.”
The Rabbitohs will be bolstered by the return of Adam Reynolds, who missed the clash against the Panthers with a shoulder injury sustained in State of Origin II.
Despite the inclusion of the representative halfback, the Souths mentor knows that the result will not be determined based on the efforts of one individual.
“It’s great to have Adam back. Obviously a bit of bad news after the Origin, but it’s amazing once the doctors assessed him and said he’s looking right for next week,” said Maguire
“It obviously gives us another lift in the organization, so it’s good to get him back, but one thing we’re focused on is getting that team performance again.
“It’s good to have the same team running out for a change. We’ve obviously had bumps and bruises along the way, but I’m seeing the boys really getting those combinations going.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to get up there and perform the way we know we can.”
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