Maguire sets sights on AFL

This article first appeared in the Daily Advertiser

By Simon Brundson

Maguire, 15, has been selected in the Under-15 All Australian team following a blistering representative season this year.

He  went from pulling on the boots for Riverina tryouts to making the NSW team, and put in an outstanding performance in Darwin to be named in the national squad.

Maguire is now preparing to jump on a plane and travel to South Africa in January, where he will spend 12 days showcasing his football talent.

“I’m really excited, it’s going to be a great trip,” he said.

It’s another tick on the to-do list for Maguire as he strives towards an AFL career.

His immediate concerns are with the South Africa trip, but he is already eyeing next year’s NAB AFL Under-16 National Championships and then the Under-18 carnival, where he will hope to catch the eye of scouts.

“I’d love to (play in the AFL), but I know it takes a lot of hard work,” Maguire said.

“I’ll try to make the Rams team next year then hopefully the 18s team after that.

“There’s a long way to go but that’s definitely the goal.”

Maguire has been receiving first-class training through the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and has been working closely with Temora’s best AFL prospect Jake Barrett.

The midfielder-defender has been a standout junior for Northern Jets for the past couple of years and already has a collection of premiership medals to hang on his wall.

For now, Maguire plans to enjoy a fortnight away from football before he returns to training in preparation for January’s trip.