Western Suburbs Magpies have landed themselves a new head coach ahead of the 2026 season, and it comes in the shape of a former Super League veteran.
The Magpies, who are the feeder team to NRL side Wests Tigers, finished ninth in the New South Wales Cup last year, which is one of the two main reserve-grade leagues in Australia.
They had been under the leadership of former NRL man Aaron Payne for the past two years, but how now decided to look elsewhere, and have decided to bring in an ex-Super League player with over 250 career games on his CV.
Former Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils forward, Tyrone McCarthy is who they’ve chosen to take the reigns, as the 37-year-old takes up his first senior head coach role. McCarthy has been part of both the Warrington and South Sydney Rabbitohs development systems in his coaching career so far.
As well as being a long-serving Super League player, McCarthy also spent time in the Australian reserve grades, and appeared for Northern Pride in the 2014 Queensland Cup competition, before returning in 2016 to play for St George Illawarra’s reserves. In both those years, he won the Premiership and State Championship, showing that he understands how to win at that level.
Speaking on his new venture, McCarthy can’t wait to get started and will now want to showcase his coaching ability on a bigger stage.
He said: “There are some great people around the Club who I’m looking forward to working alongside, as well as some wonderfully talented players.”
“There’s been a lot of great things happening at the Wests Tigers and I’m looking forward to bringing my ideas and philosophies to the NSW Cup program and being a part of what’s next.
“I know first-hand just how much talent comes through the Magpies system which is an exciting opportunity for me as a coach. I’ve got an important role in creating an environment that gives those players every opportunity to eventually progress through to the NRL and help bring success to the club.
“I’m grateful to Richo [CEO Shane Richardson] and the Board for their support and I can’t wait to get our preparation for next season underway.”
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