"I would like to let the members know that this is my club, I am not talking to anyone else and I want to stay here for as long as we can keep progressing and improving as a club," Maguire said. "There are many things I want to achieve on and off the field at this club and to have the fans out there, the way they celebrate success and stick by us through the tougher times like they have over the years prior to me getting here, it is a special club and it is one I want to make sure I keep building things at." ​Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday that negotiations had taken place between the Knights and Maguire's representatives but Newcastle's bid to lure him from Souths was considered a long shot. Rabbitohs players also said they had doubted Maguire would leave but were pleased that he had spoken to them to put paid to the speculation. "Having him address us like that is pretty reassuring. We don't have to worry about it," back-rower Kyle Turner said.

"He just sat us down and said 'boys I am with you so don't worry, just worry about the game this week' and that is what we need to do. "We know that from day one he has always been with us and we are excited to play some good footy for him. He is a great coach and we all trust him." Utility forward Jason Clark said the players had not been unsettled by the rumours because they expected Maguire to remain with the club for at least a further two years. "He came and spoke to us personally and he said he will be here, he is here to do the job and we are happy about that," Clark said. "It was in-house and positive and we are just worrying about this week. He just dusted it off and said not to worry about it."

Prop George Burgess added: "I definitely know he is not going to Newcastle. Obviously there were rumours and he just nipped them in the bud." Despite Maguire having told Fairfax Media on Monday "there's nothing in that one at all", second-rower Glenn Stewart said it was necessary sometimes to address speculation before it gets out of hand. "It depends how far they flare up," Stewart said. "A lot of the boys don't read too much into the media speculation or the papers but, to be realistic, if it blows up too big it is impossible to ignore. "It's all just been cleared up internally and he is contracted here for two more years as far as I know. That is as far as the players look into it. We are just worried about this year and this week first of all."