Maguire pleased with progress of spine in 2019

He might have tried two contrasting players in Benji Marshall and Josh Reynolds in the five-eighth spot so far this year, but Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire says his spine are still showing tremendous progress through the early parts of 2019.

Marshall partnered reigning Dally M Halfback of the Year Luke Brooks in the opening three rounds before picking up a hamstring injury — opening the door for Reynolds to return to the side after playing two weeks of Canterbury Cup.

Since then, the side has picked up a gritty road win over the Broncos and Brisbane and will consider themselves extremely unlucky to walk away empty-handed from Penrith in Round 4, with Reynolds and Brooks at the heart of both performances.

For Maguire, the way in which both players have adjusted to the subtle changes introduced to the side throughout the pre-season has been most pleasing.

"I think the way that Brooksy [Luke Brooks] is starting to grow off stuff I've tried to implement has been great," Maguire said of the creative number seven.

"Josh Reynolds started the year too in reserve grade because he needed to get his body right and it's really good to see him hit some form in the last two games.

"He brings a lot of energy, and those sort of things are what we're about in this team.

"We're looking at our game and improving together and that's what's important.

"It started [for us] about four or five months ago now and there's been some big improvements in this team so far, and I mean that. I see boys play week-in and week-out and I've got a good understanding of how they're playing and the different styles that they want so we've got to make sure we aim up this weekend.

See what Maguire had to say in full about this week's game in the video above!