Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards and others made some huge signings but one of the biggest signings had his debut delayed.
Josh McGuire was banned long term for something he said to an opponent against Leigh Leopards in a pre-season friendly.
As he returned, against the same opposition in the league he was banned for even longer again for something he said to an opponent.
Speaking in Australia, McGuire opened up on this revealing he didn’t want to offend anyone.
“She [his daughter] was a big reason why I came home,” McGuire said.
“I was having my own dramas in England with suspensions.
“I regret what I said. It wasn’t meant in a malicious way and I didn’t mean to offend anyone, that’s for sure.
“It was a throwaway comment in the heat of the moment but I should have thought first before saying something like that.
“With everything going on, I thought I don’t need rugby league in my life anymore.
“I just want to get home and get my daughter sorted out.
“It’s definitely given me a lot of perspective. In football, you are so pampered and entitled and immature about the world.
“Towards the end of my career, it taught me you can’t put a price on family and your health and that football isn’t everything.
“A few times I would get down and you think why us?
“We thought Scarlett had some learning difficulties with ADHD or autism. It’s been a nightmare for my wife dealing with her.
“Now it’s a bit of a relief that we now know what it is and we can get it treated.”
McGuire also opened up on what it was like to find out his daughter was deaf:
“It’s going to be a lifelong process,” said McGuire, who has two other children, daughter Maiya, 9, and son Maxon, 7, with wife Tanyssa.
“I still remember a test we did where Scarlett was wired up and a monkey would clap and do a reaction to different sounds.
“Seeing the monkey reacting to the sounds, but then Scarlett wouldn’t react at all, she missed all the sounds, that was pretty confronting.
“Unfortunately, she has been behind the eight ball for the last three years.
“She’s lost a few years of development and that’s not fair on her, but thankfully we’re on top of it now.”
