Paul Deacon jokes he “still has nightmares” about Michael Maguire’s pre-season training sessions every time he walks his dog. But in 2010, those sessions were no laughing matter, especially those infamous workouts at Haigh Hall, near Deacon’s home. Maguire, who had honed his coaching skills under Craig Bellamy in Melbourne, was stepping into the role of head coach for Wigan, taking over from former Great Britain coach Brian Noble.
Pat Richards, a key player for the Tigers in 2005 and a veteran of 244 games for Wigan between 2006 and 2013, vividly recalls his first session under Maguire at Haigh Hall. It marked the start of a grueling 2010 pre-season. “I suppose no one really knew who Madge was,” Richards said, echoing the sentiments of Sean O’Loughlin, a Wigan legend with over 450 games to his name. “We didn’t know what we were going to get, to be honest,” added Deacon, who was one of the new faces at Wigan alongside Maguire.
The players soon discovered what they had signed up for: a pre-season that Deacon described as “horrific.” The regimen included eight weight sessions a week and countless kilometers of running. Deacon recalls one particular session vividly: five kilometers through the forests around Haigh Hall, a mere five-minute rest, and then another five kilometers. “Madge was there watching us hiding in the bushes,” Richards laughed. “The boys were absolutely cooked.”
The Making of a Champion Team
After those grueling runs, the team immediately transitioned into wrestling sessions. “From the very first session, everyone realized that a level had just gone up,” Richards said. This was followed by two army camps, both described by Deacon as “horrific.” The second camp, in Scotland, was particularly brutal, with push-ups on snow-covered concrete and 20-kilometer hikes carrying backpacks filled with bricks. Despite the hardships, the sessions were deemed beneficial by the players.
O’Loughlin recalled how Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell was unable to get into bed one day because his back had seized up. Yet, he acknowledged the necessity of such intense preparation. “It was a tough time, but there was a good group of lads that were hungry for success,” he said. Maguire’s arrival marked a new era for Wigan, a club that had lost its dominance since the switch to a summer Super League in 1996.
Turning the Tide
Wigan had been overshadowed by St Helens, winning the Super League and Challenge Cup only once since 1996 while losing three grand finals and two Challenge Cup finals. The ultimate humiliation came in 2005 when St Helens defeated Wigan 75-0 in the Challenge Cup quarter-final. “That was unheard of,” remarked James Graham, a St Helens icon. Within a year, Maguire, the relatively unknown coach from Australia, led Wigan to its first Super League title since 1998.
“He changed the culture of the club without a shadow of a doubt,” Deacon said. “The work ethic, the mindset, he transformed Wigan and, in my opinion, he transformed the game over here as well in England.”
Stories of Resilience and Transformation
Deacon has numerous stories from his time under Maguire, but one stands out. During a harsh Wigan winter, after a car accident prevented him and teammates from reaching training, Maguire personally picked them up. “There was no missing training with Madge,” Deacon said. This incident encapsulates Maguire’s commitment to his team, demanding the best from his players while leading by example.
Maguire’s approach created a “self-policing system” where players held each other accountable. Kris Radlinski, Wigan’s CEO and Maguire’s former right-hand man, recalled how Maguire’s intensity extended beyond the field. “Everything was full on,” Radlinski said. “If we’re doing this, we’re absolutely doing it properly.”
Changing the Game
When Maguire took over Wigan in 2009, he inherited a team that had been in the shadows of St Helens. Yet, he brought with him a defensive mindset and an emphasis on wrestling, a technique honed during his time with the Melbourne Storm. “He really brought that defensive attitude to that Wigan side,” Graham said. Under Maguire, Wigan became known for their minimal errors and strong defensive play.
“He brought in a style of football that blew the comp away his first year,” O’Loughlin added. The team’s fitness, strength, and physicality were unmatched, and they played some of the best football the competition had seen in years. More than just results, Maguire gave Wigan an identity. “We were never going to get beat by a lot of points,” Radlinski said. “If somebody’s going to beat us, they’ll have to earn it.”
Emotional Highs and Lasting Bonds
As Wigan prepared for a crucial semi-final against Leeds, Maguire orchestrated a powerful team meeting. He had each player write their biggest dream on paper, then burned the papers and placed the ashes in a silver box. The night before the game, they scattered the ashes on the field at Headingley Stadium. “When you see grown men in tears, it’s a pretty powerful sight,” Radlinski said.
Wigan went on to defeat Leeds and later claimed their first Super League title in 12 years, defeating St Helens. It was a fairytale season for Maguire and his team, with Maguire named Coach of the Year and Richards winning the Man of Steel award.
The Legacy Continues
After leaving Wigan, Maguire went on to coach the Rabbitohs, ending South Sydney’s 43-year premiership drought. Now, as he leads the Broncos to a grand final in his first season, his influence remains strong. The 2010 Wigan team still shares a WhatsApp group, with Maguire as a member. “It must be really heartwarming for him,” Radlinski said, reflecting on the lasting impact of Maguire’s coaching.
Despite criticisms of his methods, the results speak for themselves. “Intensity brings success and then success means you want it more,” Radlinski said. The bond forged through shared sacrifices and triumphs is one that “will never be broken.”
As Maguire prepares for another grand final, he may recall the memory of lifting the trophy for the first time with Wigan. Unlike the ashes scattered on the turf, this memory will endure, a testament to his transformative impact on the club and the game.