After landing in Sydney yesterday, Michael Maguire and his team are straight into preparations for Friday’s clash with the Parramatta Eels. Hear what the Head Coach has to say about the fixture in this episode of Maguire’s Insights!
The Rabbitohs pushed the ladder leading Storm to the very end in Perth, matching their physicality and speed before ultimately conceding late in the game to lose 14-6.
It was a special display for the Rabbitohs boss and underlined his team’s growing comradery when facing tough challenges. However, Maguire wants to see further improvement from his men on Friday night.
“I think there were some strong performers out there and as a team you could see there was a lot of comradery,” said Maguire.
“As a group they’re looking at each other and making sure the standards are raising all the time.
“We picked up some good play with the ball but we need to make sure our execution is spot on. Defensively we need to be stronger again. The connections are growing across the park but we need to be a stronger team and I think they’ll do that.”
Despite the Eels falling short of the mark in their last two fixtures, Maguire is wary of the threat they pose in the middle of the park. He’s expecting the Eels to take the battle to the middle of the park and try to roll over his squad.
“They’re a tough team, they’re a gritty team,” said Maguire.
“They like to drop off through the middle of the park and our forwards are going to have to move fairly quickly right throughout the middle.
“We want to grow from what we did on Sunday and it’s a big opportunity for us.”
Maguire will have extra artillery in the forward pack when he welcomes back tight forward George Burgess who has been named on the bench for this clash.
“George has worked really hard and he’s looking really good,” said Maguire.
“A big body coming back into the team is always a good thing and we know what he can do for us. He’ll chime into what we’ve been doing and I look forward to getting him back.”
With Parramatta Members getting reciprocal rights to this clash, the battle won’t just be confined to the field. Maguire wants to see plenty of Red and Green in the stands to help claim ANZ Stadium for his team!
“I really think that they are a big part of who we are in this Club,” said Maguire.
“That’s what makes the Club. It’s a very special Club in who we are.
Round 12 will mark our Junior Appreciation Round and the Head Coach is happy to be able to praise the coming crop of NRL superstars but he also highlights the great work of Souths Juniors in shaping local talent.
“We have a number of local juniors who have come through the ranks and it’s a proud thing for us and obviously highlights the great work Souths Juniors does,” said Maguire.
“They’re a big influence on what I do as a coach and I hope we can get plenty of people to ANZ Stadium on Friday to celebrate the future of our game.”
