From Denver to Auckland to Liverpool, Michael Maguire travelled the world during his year-long NRL hiatus.
But the new Wests Tigers coach will enjoy a perfect return when he steps into the box at the club's spiritual home, Leichhardt Oval, for their opener on Saturday.
"I really enjoy the smaller grounds, I'm hearing it's going to be a sellout. I see a lot of people up on the hill," Maguire enthused on Thursday.
"Being around the club for three months, there's a lot of passionate fans. If we can get the team going, they're going to come from everywhere."
It will also be the first time Maguire has coached in the NRL since being dumped by South Sydney with two years remaining on his deal.
"I can't wait. It's been a fair break between the last time I coached," he said.
"I had a little bit of international stuff but the club stuff is great fun. I'm really looking forward to seeing a great crowd out there."
In his six years at Redfern, Maguire developed a reputation as one of the game's grittiest coaches after steering the Rabbitohs to a drought-breaking title in 2014.
And while promising more of the same with this year's iteration of the Tigers, he also vows changes to an attack that struggled last year.
But he's unsure how the alterations will manifest against Manly on Saturday.
"I don't know where they're at really, until you start playing," he said.
"I'm learning about the players every single day. They're learning about myself and the styles that we want to try and put out on the field.
"We've made a number of changes to how we want to attack and defend, and they've all bought into what we've been doing.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing them put it out on the park."
The club has endured major change in head office in recent weeks, with chief executive Justin Pascoe suspended until June.
And this week, the Tigers announced Barry O'Farrell as new chair following the departure of Marina Go.
However Maguire is hailing the input of senior players, led by skipper Moses Mbye, for keeping the side focused.
"I spoke to the senior leaders before I got here and they were very positive about where the club has been moving to," he said.
"And they've basically guided a lot of the stuff throughout the pre-season to where we are now."
