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JOSH MASSOUD THE DAILY TELEGRAPH SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 12:10AM
Coach Michael Maguire and captain John Sutton reflect on South Sydney's 30-20 loss to Manly in the first NRL Preliminary Final.
FOR all the pain that must have been tearing him up inside, Souths coach Michael Maguire wore a remarkably calm expression.
Having endured an horrible day that ended with his team eliminated for the second time at the penultimate hurdle, Maguire left ANZ Stadium as Friday night's most respected competitor.
Earlier in the day Maguire learned his mother, who lived in Canberra, passed away. Rabbitohs players wore black armbands as a mark of respect, the tragedy lifting their already intense desire to win that little bit more.
So it was no wonder that skipper John Sutton faced the media with red eyes and a shaken voice.
"Madge (Maguire) is a tough bloke and we wanted to go out there and do him proud," Sutton said.
"I'm devastated we didn't get the result for him."
Somehow containing his emotions, Maguire added: "It's been a tough day. But I've got a great footy team and great people in this organisation. It's part of what we are trying to build here. We've got to stick together."
Whatever coach Geoff Toovey said at halftime worked a treat
Throughout the season Maguire regularly spoke about what Souths had learned from losing the corresponding match to Canterbury 12 months ago.
But September-seasoned Manly proved a different prospect, blowing the Rabbitohs off the park with a second half exhibition that will leave a nightmarish imprint from Marrickville to Malabar until the chance to atone arrives next autumn.
"I just couldn't believe it," Sutton said. "Just that second half - it's not the way we played.
"It's so tough. I'm devastated to go out like that."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...loss-in-same-day/story-fni3gki9-1226728912477
Coach Michael Maguire and captain John Sutton reflect on South Sydney's 30-20 loss to Manly in the first NRL Preliminary Final.
FOR all the pain that must have been tearing him up inside, Souths coach Michael Maguire wore a remarkably calm expression.
Having endured an horrible day that ended with his team eliminated for the second time at the penultimate hurdle, Maguire left ANZ Stadium as Friday night's most respected competitor.
Earlier in the day Maguire learned his mother, who lived in Canberra, passed away. Rabbitohs players wore black armbands as a mark of respect, the tragedy lifting their already intense desire to win that little bit more.
So it was no wonder that skipper John Sutton faced the media with red eyes and a shaken voice.
"Madge (Maguire) is a tough bloke and we wanted to go out there and do him proud," Sutton said.
"I'm devastated we didn't get the result for him."
Somehow containing his emotions, Maguire added: "It's been a tough day. But I've got a great footy team and great people in this organisation. It's part of what we are trying to build here. We've got to stick together."
Whatever coach Geoff Toovey said at halftime worked a treat
Throughout the season Maguire regularly spoke about what Souths had learned from losing the corresponding match to Canterbury 12 months ago.
But September-seasoned Manly proved a different prospect, blowing the Rabbitohs off the park with a second half exhibition that will leave a nightmarish imprint from Marrickville to Malabar until the chance to atone arrives next autumn.
"I just couldn't believe it," Sutton said. "Just that second half - it's not the way we played.
"It's so tough. I'm devastated to go out like that."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...loss-in-same-day/story-fni3gki9-1226728912477
