McGuire was allowed to leave the Broncos to sign for North Queensland.

Former Brisbane skipper Lewis said he "couldn't believe" the move to let the Kangaroos and Maroons forward leave.

"He's a performer," Lewis told AAP.

"I like him as a player, he has a dig every game. He plays well above his weight. He's a bloke that dictates respect from the opposition. You always going to get a hard battle.

"He could come up against his father and smash him to bits and wait until fulltime to ask his dad how he was feeling. That's the bloke you love having in your team."