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Monaghan wins starting place
and new contract
Michael Monaghan has a double reason to celebrate this week after backing up his signing of a new contract with the Raiders with selection as the first grade half for this Saturdayâs clash with St George-Illawarra.
In an amazing year Monaghan started the season as a virtual unknown in the lower grades. He wasnât even named as one of the clubâs top 25 players.
His sparkling form in guiding the Raiders First Division to the top of their competition soon caught the eye of selectors and thatâs followed on with his naming today for the first time in the starting line-up.
Michael has played just 60 minutes of top grade football after coming on as a replacement in the last two matches.
Raiders assistant coach, Matthew Elliott, said Michael has been one of the form players in the Raiders ranks over the past month and thoroughly deserved his call-up today.
Brett Finch has been moved from half to five-eighth to enable Monaghan to play in his normal position.
The selection changes were brought about by the season-ending injury to Mark McLinden.
In other selection news the club has welcomed back five players from injury.
Luke Davico, Todd Payten, Jamaal Lolesi, Anthony Colella and Andrew McFadden have all been named in a 19 man squad.
On the representative front the Raiders will have three players in the junior New Zealand-Australia Test match being played this Friday night.
Joel Monaghan will play for Australia , while Willie Scanlon and David Faiumu have been selected for the Kiwis.
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and new contract
Michael Monaghan has a double reason to celebrate this week after backing up his signing of a new contract with the Raiders with selection as the first grade half for this Saturdayâs clash with St George-Illawarra.
In an amazing year Monaghan started the season as a virtual unknown in the lower grades. He wasnât even named as one of the clubâs top 25 players.
His sparkling form in guiding the Raiders First Division to the top of their competition soon caught the eye of selectors and thatâs followed on with his naming today for the first time in the starting line-up.
Michael has played just 60 minutes of top grade football after coming on as a replacement in the last two matches.
Raiders assistant coach, Matthew Elliott, said Michael has been one of the form players in the Raiders ranks over the past month and thoroughly deserved his call-up today.
Brett Finch has been moved from half to five-eighth to enable Monaghan to play in his normal position.
The selection changes were brought about by the season-ending injury to Mark McLinden.
In other selection news the club has welcomed back five players from injury.
Luke Davico, Todd Payten, Jamaal Lolesi, Anthony Colella and Andrew McFadden have all been named in a 19 man squad.
On the representative front the Raiders will have three players in the junior New Zealand-Australia Test match being played this Friday night.
Joel Monaghan will play for Australia , while Willie Scanlon and David Faiumu have been selected for the Kiwis.
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