Ben Maguire’s renowned as one of Western Division’s best back-rowers.
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Wide-running, damaging and quick, he scored 25 tries hitting holes for fun on Forbes’ right edge during the club’s incredible run to the 2016 Group 11 premiership.
But he’s thrown all that away this winter – for the team.
With the Magpies losing props Zac Merritt, Todd Grace and Mitch Davis over the off-season, Maguire’s selfless approach to his footy meant a shifted to the front-row to help fill the void.
It’s a team-first mentality defining the Magpies’ charge in 2018.
The black and whites are working for each other and the result is some more-than-decent footy at the business end of the season – last week’s thumping 44-6 triumph over rivals Parkes arguably the club’s best showing of the year.
“It’s just the drive to win. We’d all do anything to win,” Maguire, 21, said.
He’s scored six tries this season, not too shabby for a front-rower.
“Playing in the front-row is no troubles at all, it’s where the team needs me and I’m happy to play my part,” he continued.
“I’ve floated around a bit in the forwards in the past so it’s not a massive change.”
Forbes looked on track for a top three finish on the ladder but three-straight losses mid-season shuffled the Magpies down a few rungs, and Saturday’s fourth-versus-fifth elimination semi-final against the Macquarie Raiders at Spooner Oval is where the club will begin its post season.
That do-or-die environment isn’t a worry for Maguire, though.
He says every game is tough at the back end of the season but a full-strength Magpies line-up is confident of being able to make a run at the grand final, what would be the club’s second appearance on the final Sunday of the Group 11 season in three years.
“After a bit of a lapse, all the boys are back … Jake’s been great for us in the middle. He’s always had that talk and that just makes it easier for the middles to cover each other,” Maguire said.
... it’s where the team needs me and I'm happy to play my part.
- Forbes prop Ben Maguire.
“Our squad is young still and but our commitment is as good as anyone’s .. we’re all willing to do anything for the boys.”
Charlie Staines has provided Forbes with plenty of spark at fullback, while Jake Grace’s leadership has gone to a new level, but Maguire said five-eighth Mitch Burke in the one impressing at the Magpies this season.
“He’s really stepped up this year, he’s been unbelievable,” he added.
Forbes and Macquarie are scheduled to kick-off at 3.45pm on Saturday.
The Magpies qualified all four grades for this year’s Group 11 finals series.
The league tag girls finished the regular season in fourth and will play Macquarie Raiders in the elimination semi-final on Saturday.
In reserve grade, Forbes and Parkes finished with the same win-loss record after 14 rounds and will square off in the elimination semi-final as well, the Magpies winning 24-4 in their lastest bout in last week’s final round.
While the under 18s boys won the minor premiership and will have week one of the post season off.