From today's CT:
Monaghan in Roosters' sights
By Bevan Hannan
Monday, 28 June 2004
The Sydney Roosters' decision to grant a release for restless centre Justin Hodges to rejoin Brisbane has dramatically shortened the odds of Canberra's Joel Monaghan landing at Bondi next season.
As revealed in the Canberra Sunday Times yesterday, both Kiwi international Ruben Wiki and Monaghan have rejected three-year deals each worth $750,000 to instead test the National Rugby League player market when the anti-poaching deadline ends on Wednesday.
Having made their best offers, Raiders officials have given up hope of retaining the star duo. General manager Don Furner said the club had not been told how short the Raiders were from the players' preferred asking price.
Speculation had identified big-spending Manly as a likely destination for Monaghan, especially as elder brother Michael is already at the Sea Eagles.
But the Roosters now loom large after last year's runners-up confirmed yesterday that Queensland Origin representative Hodges would be allowed to return to Brisbane.
Hodges almost walked out on the Roosters earlier this year just weeks after signing a three-year contract, but his manager Jim Banaghan - who also represents Monaghan and Wiki - negotiated an exit deal should Hodges fail to settle back into life in Sydney.
The Roosters have now agreed to execute this clause on compassionate grounds.
With skipper Brad Fittler retiring and centre Ryan Cross still unsigned with the July 1 trading period fast approaching, the Roosters are in the market for an elite back.
Representative stars Timana Tahu (Newcastle) and Brent Tate (Brisbane) are the two highest profile outside backs up for grabs this week. Manly is also after Tahu to join its other two big name buys Ben Kennedy (Newcastle) and Brent Kite (St George).
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett spoke confidently on the weekend that Tate would turn down higher offers to stay with Brisbane.
This means Monaghan, who has scored a remarkable 33 tries in the past two seasons, becomes a major target. Recent developments have opened an express passage for Monaghan to become a Rooster and hook up with his former Erindale College schoolmate, Brett Finch.
Furner said the Raiders were desperate to keep both Wiki and Monaghan, and feel they have made generous offers. Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay is meeting Banaghan in the next two days and Canberra is expecting the four English Super League clubs in the race for Wiki - St Helens, Bradford, Wigan and Widnes - to double its offer.
"Some people will say a three-year deal for a 31-year-old is too long," Furner said at the weekend. "But that is how much we value Ruben and it is a big commitment for us."
Wiki has been with the Raiders since 1993 and is one of the proudest and most committed players in the club's history. The New Zealand Warriors have also been linked to Wiki, but it is unlikely he would join a rival NRL team and play against his beloved Green Machine.
The lure of a substantial pay increase and opportunities for travel in Europe may, however, be the quality-of-life enticements that take him to England.
Wiki partnered club legend Mal Meninga in the centres in the Raiders' 1994 premiership campaign before being at the subject of a protracted tug-of-war between Canberra and the then Auckland Warriors. He was briefly known as "Two City Wiki" after both clubs claimed to have his signature. Wiki stood his ground to remain in Canberra and the matter was settled after court hearings in April 1995.
IN POSITIVE news for the Raiders, Monaghan is aiming to make an early comeback from minor knee surgery and could be available for next week's home match against Wests Tigers.
Monaghan had been expected to miss four weeks but that will be slashed to two if he receives clearance to tackle the Tigers.
A cartilage injury suffered in the Raiders' round 14 win against Cronulla kept Monaghan out of last week's loss to the Bulldogs and yesterday's match against the Brisbane Broncos. He hopes to commence running today.
Monaghan had an arthroscope operation 10 days ago and is pleased with the progress after commencing pool running.
"I saw the surgeon and fingers crossed I could possibly play this week," Monaghan said. "If not, definitely the week after when we play the Cowboys.
"In the next couple of days it should come along pretty good.
"The doctor said it will hurt a bit to run but to do as much as I can. So I'll strap it up and hopefully have a jog on Monday."
