Maguire watched the draft with another former Saint, Luke Ball, as the pair saw their careers take new turns - Maguire to the Lions and Ball to Collingwood.
The 25-year-old key defender who suffered a broken leg and then stress fractures which have cruelled a chunk of his career to date, said he was “feeling great” about heading north.
After chatting with a number of clubs and training with Carlton the past three weeks, Maguire was always a likely target but had to wait until No.91, and last, before being snapped up.
“There was a preference and that was to get on a list,” he said with some relief.
“So I got what I wanted.
“It’s obviously going to be a change but I’m really excited. There’s a lot of young guys but there’s also some new faces with (Brendan) Fevola, Amon Buchanan, Brent Staker, Xavier Clarke and Andrew Raines, so I feel like I’m coming into a club that’s having a new start.”
While Maguire played the majority of 2009 in the Saints reserves he said he would remember his time at the club with “lots of joy”.
He has already received messages of support from current Saints and former stars such as Stewart Loewe.
“I think about all the great times and playing with great players of the game like Harvs (Robert Harvey) 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.”
And after initial chats with Lions coach Michael Voss, there is certainly room for him to make an impact.
While Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull have been the cornerstone of a strong Lions defence over the past few seasons, the Lions have lost bigger bodies like Lachlan Henderson and Jason Roe in the off-season.
Despite his injury woes over the years, Maguire said getting a full season behind him last year would be a huge help coming to Brisbane.
“From what I’ve been through it was important to have a consistent season and put some form on the board, which I think I did. I thought if an opportunity came up I was ready,” he said.
“With the speed of the game continually going up, I just need to work on my speed and repeat efforts. I wasn’t able to do that last year because I was more interested in just getting through it, but now I can have a crack at it.
“Any side that has the likes of Brendan and Jonathan, Simon Black, Luke Power and even down back with Rog (Daniel) Merrett and Josh Drummond, there’s a very good core group there. I’m just excited to be part of it.
“I want to go to a club that needs me so I’ll work hard and once I get the opportunity I won’t look back.
