Jackson Hastings says Wests Tigers players felt they owed a debt to besieged Michael Maguire after snapping their NRL winless streak in Monday's dramatic win over Parramatta.
Hastings was the hero for the Tigers, kicking a 38-metre field goal in the dying stages to clinch a 21-20 victory.
The win over the Eels will go some way to relieving the pressure on Maguire, who had overseen the worst start in the club's history.
Great Britain international Hastings returned to the side after a three-week suspension and was the spark at halfback for the Tigers.
"I stayed in a hotel last night on my own and I was just like headbutting the walls ready to go," he said.
"Sitting in the box with Madge (the last few weeks), he's pure emotion.
"He just cares so much about the club.
"That's what people don't see because everyone gets caught up in the results which is fair enough because it's a results-driven business.
"But the work that he actually does to prepare us and to get us ready to play every week it's truly phenomenal.
"I've been coached by some very good coaches but the hours and time and dedication he actually puts into us players we've actually got to go out there and repay him.
"I know it's only one win but I feel really good for Madge, that's that's massive for us as a club."
Maguire's move of Hastings to No.7 and Luke Brooks to five-eighth proved to be a masterstroke.
Brooks had his hand in two try assists, while Hastings touched the ball 88 times and set up the try of the game when he chipped in goal for David Nofoaluma to touch down.
But the 26-year-old, who celebrated his 50th NRL game in Monday's win, reserved some praise for the much-maligned Brooks.
"When he walked back in the sheds his little face was beaming with a smile and it was so good to see," Hastings said.
"You don't know if he puts on a brave face every week... but (I admire) the mental toughness and resilience to just go out every week and knowing that if the result doesn't go our way, he'll get blamed.
"He showed a lot of courage tonight and he put in a great performance. I'm really proud of him."
