“Madge’s great legacy”: NSWRL CEO opens up on Maguire’s sudden exit from Blues coaching role

NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden has opened up on Michael Maguire’s swift departure as Blues coach and the ways in which his legacy will continue on.

Maguire stepped into the NSW coaching role last season after the departure of Blues legend Brad Fittler, leading his side to 2-1 series victory, including a famous series-deciding win in Queensland.

However, following the sacking of Kevin Walters at the Brisbane Broncos, Maguire was hired to fill that key NRL role, prematurely ending his stint in the Origin arena.

The sudden departure of Maguire left NSW quickly searching for a new coach, however, Trodden said that there were no hard feelings.

“We were expecting Madge (Maguire) to be in place this year but in saying that no one begrudges the opportunity to take that role on at the Broncos,” Trodden told SEN 1170 Mornings.

“Those roles only come up rarely and the timing is rarely perfect… but what it did mean is we had to move reasonably promptly to find a replacement.

“Madge’s great legacy though is, apart from that historic win, he put in place such a… wonderful team off the field and the fact that all those guys, with the exception of John Cartwright, is able to back up in 2025 is a great boost for our organisation.”

Trodden revealed that maintaining the structures and team that Maguire implemented this year was a key requirement for new coach Laurie Daley.

“That was a critical point in the discussion. It was really important, from the board’s point of view, to make sure that all the good things that happened in 2024 were retained and that was a key point in the discussions with Laurie and he was totally comfortable with that,” Trodden said.

“You don’t muck around too much with things that work… the board was really happy he (Daley) had that attitude.

“Madge’s influence will continue to be felt through those guys he was able to bring together in 2024.”

Daley will be joined by returning Blues staff members Frank Ponisini, Matt King and Brett White, as well as new additions Craig Bellamy and Dean Young, who replaces Cartwright.

BY SEN/SAM KOSACK