I connected with Michael Maguire on Linked In and sent him an email on 4/1/14. For 4 months I told my friends I would work with Souths Sydney NRL coach Michael Maguire as I have followed South Sydney for over 50 years and they had not won a premiership in 43 years, despite being the winningest club in the NRL.

I sent him a text on 4/1/14. No reply. I was going to Sydney for a business trip on 22 May 2014. I turned up at Redfern oval, without an appointment. Whist on the phone to a client at the top of the stands, I saw Michael Maguire drive in. I went down and introduced myself. Michael said he had an appointment but could give me 20 minutes. I said “I’d be grateful for 2 minutes”.

An hour later, after passionate discussions in his office & an “Expect to Win” talk, with all the other staff wondering what the raucous was coming from Michael’s office, I left. Two days later, Michael txt me asking for my thoughts on the team. I suggested coffee, he was too busy, and he called me.
From that day on, I txt or spoke to Michael every day, at least once, but never met him again in person, until we were in the change rooms with him after the Grand Final. After starting work with Michael on 24 May 2014 when they were 5 wins, 5 losses, South Sydney won their first premiership in 43 years and, despite no one else in the club knowing about what I did with Michael every day, Michael called me his secret weapon. After winning the 2014 NRL Premiership, we then went on to win the 2015 Auckland 9s and the 2015 World Club Challenge.