Matthew Maguire Biography

Barry Hall admits he should have been suspended for the 2005 grand final that saw the Swans defeat the Eagles.

Hall was cited for striking St Kilda's Matt Maguire in the preliminary final, but successfully argued the incident took place "in play" rather than "behind play".

"There was a bit of a clause and we had a good QC," Hall said.

"The number one ticketholder at that stage got us a private jet.

"We had a limo at Essendon airport, got off the charge at the tribunal, got back on the private jet, went back home, it was quite enjoyable.

"It was a tense week.

"There was a little glitch in the rules and we knew that.

"I shouldn't have played.

"If rules are rules, I shouldn't have played in the grand final. I hit a guy."

After announcing his retirement from football, Matt Maguire admits he is torn on how far the AFL should go in protecting players from concussion.

"I am still in two minds," Maguire said.

"I feel like Bryce Gibbs was playing the game in a manner that he's been taught to.

"I think concussion is a by-product of a contact sport.

"I am in favour of doing everything we can do to reduce the occurrences of concussions and head-high hits because it is a problem.

"But there's a fine line between ruling it out completely and also trying to keep the aggression and all the things that make our game great."

Ongoing symptoms from a concussion received two months ago have forced Brisbane Lions defender Matt Maguire to retire.

Maguire has not played since being heavily concussed in a NEAFL game against Ainslie at Coorparoo on April 25.

Lions medical staff, in consultation with concussion specialists, were confident Maguire would make a full recovery, but it was unclear when he would be ready to play again.

"I can't get out there and play footy so the decision was made pretty easily for me," Maguire told the playing group today.

"I can be proud of what I've been able to achieve in footy.

"I've been able to come to this point and be proud that I've been able to get the most out of myself."

Matt Maguire will play on in 2015 after the Brisbane Lions locked up the veteran defender with another one-year contract extension.

James Polkinghorne and Matt Maguire sign new deals to remain at the Lions for season 2014.

"It's probably no secret that James spent some time over the off-season weighing up his AFL future, but after speaking with new senior coach Justin Leppitsch, he decided to remain in Brisbane," general manager of football operations Dean Warren said.

"The club sees him as being a valuable player who is about to enter the prime of his career.

"Matt, on the other hand, is about to reach the twilight of his career, but his performances over the past few years have shown that he can still match it with some of the best forwards in the competition."

Veteran defender Matt Maguire and winger Rohan Bewick have re-signed with the Brisbane Lions.

Michael Voss says he has no problem with the Matt Maguire challenge that fractured Jonathan Brown's cheekbone.

At the moment for us, we're learning about what it takes to compete continually and sometimes at practice you have to do those things," Voss said.

"We're teaching our team how to compete on the training track as well as on game day and there's certain expectations that we have.

"When you're teaching a group of players how to treat a contest there's certain non-negotiables that you need to be able to see, that's part of their development."

Geelong premiership player Cam Mooney says Matt Maguire overstepped the mark with his training hit on Jonathan Brown which led to the Brisbane skipper requiring facial surgery.

"It was a very avoidable the incident. It was a little bit silly by him," Mooney said.

"There are certain incidents where you don't have to be as reckless as that. He didn't have to go as hard as that, or go third man up. I just think he probably overstepped the mark a little bit."

Brisbane defender Matt Maguire says he would like a contract extension to prove himself at the Lions.

"I put myself under as much pressure from the club or external perceptions. I'm definitely keen and really enjoying my time at Brisbane," Maguire said.

"I haven't hit my best form by any stretch. There's still a lot of improvement in me."

The Brisbane Lions have confirmed that defender Matt Maguire has contracted a staph infection.

Brisbane Lions defender Matt Maguire will miss his side's clash against Fremantle after the tribunal found him guilty of engaging in rough conduct against Sydney's Jude Bolton.

Ex-Saint Matt Maguire finally reaches the 100-game milestone after being selected by his new club, Brisbane, to play against West Coast at the Gabba.

Ex-Saint Matt Maguire is looking forward to a new start with the Brisbane Lions after playing 99 games for St Kilda.

"I think about all the great times and playing with great players of the game like Harvs and modern day greats like my mate Nick Riewoldt. I played 99 games and had fun and feel I've been very lucky but I'm looking forward to going to Brisbane and making a name for myself there," Maguire said.

Former Saint Matt Maguire needs to convince Carlton's medical staff that his body is still up to the rigours of AFL football.

"He had the rod taken out of his leg in the off-season so he's still recovering from that ... and his foot as well," Carlton ruck and development coach Matthew Capuano said.

"He's only been here for a few days but he's thrown himself into all the rehab stuff and the touch stuff that we've done so far. Hopefully he comes along well."

Discarded St Kilda defender Matt Maguire will begin training with Carlton in a bid to show his body is up to top-flight football.

"It will give us a chance to just to see where his body is at and to have a look at him with our group," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said.

"I suppose like all players that you get down to train with you, they get to put their best case forward and if he does everything right he'll be a chance."

St Kilda has delisted injury-plagued defender Matt Maguire and elevated Zac Dawson and Luke Miles from the rookie list.

St Kilda insists Matt Maguire can still have a part to play this season despite being overlooked at selection again.

Maguire has been stranded on 99 career games for well over a year because he was injured for most of 2008 and has been unable to break into the side this season.

Saints defender Matt Maguire is again overlooked for a spot in the Saints' line-up.

St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said Maguire remained close to a senior recall.

"He's been playing good, solid footy in the VFL, and he knows he's just got to continue playing pretty well at VFL level," he said.

Nick Riewoldt says Matt Maguire is in contention to play his long-awaited 100th match against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after suspensions to Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson.

"We'll have training and look at the way we want to structure the team and how the Bulldogs are going to structure up and make a decision from there, but he's a definite a chance for this week," Riewoldt said.

While St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has used only 26 players this season, he is mindful not to overlook a group, including Matt Maguire, Sean Dempster and Robert Eddy, delivering consistent form each week with VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"There's not only Matt waiting for opportunities, I've got Armitage and Jack Steven and Raph Clarke in the seconds. So there's a number of players in the same position, Colm Begley another, who are fighting for a spot in the seniors," Lyon said yesterday.

"And I'm on record that, while players keep delivering, I'm not just going to make changes for the sake of it."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says defender Matt Maguire is still an important player for the team despite not being able to break into the side.

"He's playing quite good football in the VFL and he's carrying himself well Monday to Friday," he said at Linen House Oval on Friday morning.

"He loves being part of St Kilda and he's continually improving his body after a well documented and horrific injury."

St Kilda vice-captain Lenny Hayes senses a senior recall for teammate and housemate Matt Maguire is looming.

Restricted to 14 games in the last two years by a foot injury, Maguire is yet to be selected by St Kilda this season despite some solid form for its VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"He knows that he has got to wait for an opportunity but I know from seeing it up close that he is doing everything right," Hayes said.

"He is not one of those blokes who will whinge and say, 'Poor old me'. He works really hard and he knows when he does get an opportunity he will do well.

"There is going to be a bit of frustration there but you wouldn't really know it. He goes out there, he trains really hard and he is a professional bloke."

Matt Maguire may be forced to weigh up his trade options at the end of the season as he remains unable to squeeze into St Kilda's best 22.

The defender is looming large on rival clubs' radars after spending the first half of the season playing in the VFL for Sandringham.

While his form and fitness have been good, Maguire, 25, is a victim of the Saints' injury-free run and much-improved defensive strength.

The popular clubman is stuck on 99 AFL games and is the subject of increasing interest from clubs wanting a quality backman.

St Kilda defender Matt Maguire may earn a place in the side to take on the Eagles this weekend.

Maguire has not played at AFL level since round six last year but played the majority of St Kilda's NAB Cup and NAB Challenge matches before spending the past two weeks with VFL club Sandringham.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Maguire was a chance to make his return from a foot injury this week.

St Kilda defender Matt Maguire faces an uphill battle to play in Round 1 after being overlooked for tomorrow night's practice match against Richmond.

Maguire suffers another stress fracture in his troublesome left foot which will keep him out of the Saints pre-season training for the next four to six weeks.