Here you go guys - fun reading from the Canberra times: :x
Monaghan's moment of truth
By Bevan Hannan
Friday, 9 July 2004
Centre Joel Monaghan's concern about eight established Raiders' players coming off contract next season will have a major bearing on whether he decides to leave Canberra for either the Sydney Roosters or Manly.
Both prolific try-scorer Monaghan and Kiwi Test skipper Ruben Wiki are planning to make announcements on their futures today.
Monaghan will remain in the National Rugby League while Wiki is expected to join an overseas club either in the English Super League or the New Zealand Warriors.
New Zealand media last night reported Wiki would officially sign with the Warriors today, ending his 12-year career in the nation's capital.
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay is now expected to turn his attentions to Wiki's Canberra teammate Luke Davico, with speculation last night Davico had agreed to a three-year deal with the English club pending a release from the Raiders.
Canberra officials said they were unaware of any such deal.
The Raiders have a host of experienced stars up for grabs in 2005 including captain Simon Woolford (29), Davico (31), Ryan O'Hara (23), Clinton Schifcofske (28), Ian Hindmarsh (27), Adam Mogg (26), Tyran Smith (30) and Jason Bulgarelli (28). New signing Jason Smith and winger Michael Robertson also have release options.
All players are well placed to attract interest from rival clubs, especially with the possibility of new NRL licences being issued to the Gold Coast, Central Coast or Wellington (New Zealand) in 2006.
Monaghan said the number of unsigned players would weigh heavily when he sat down with his parents to make a choice last night.
"That's probably the main reason I've thought about looking at another club," Monaghan said. "The majority of them are our best players and senior players. I don't think that we can keep all of them."
Player agent Jim Banaghan flew into Canberra last night to "tidy a few things up" with Wiki and to meet with Monaghan, who was having greater difficulty settling on a club.
Earlier in the week Monaghan said it was between Canberra and the Roosters, however the Sea Eagles were again in the frame.
"They gave me a deadline during the week but I wasn't ready to make a decision so I said 'no'," Monaghan said. "They came back with a bigger offer yesterday, so it has thrown them back in the mix."
Monaghan's older brother, Michael, is the newly appointed captain at Manly and is lobbying hard for the Sea Eagles.
"He's already got me a Manly jersey," Joel said. "I've spoken to him a bit but I have always told him I wouldn't change clubs just for him."
Monaghan also met with coach Matt Elliott yesterday and is closely consulting with senior teammates, including full-back Schifcofske.
"He is one bloke I spoke to," Monaghan said. "He gave me his honest thoughts and I took them on board. I spoke to a few of the boys and I want talk to them again."
Elliott said it was important that the Raiders kept both players and admitted the duo had a mental barrier to hurdle before tomorrow night's vital round 17 match against North Queensland at Canberra Stadium.
"They are going to have to use all their powers of concentration," Elliott said. "It has certainly been a distraction to me having to go through this sort of stuff at this stage of the season."
Meanwhile, Monaghan is awaiting clearance to resume from a knee injury against the Cowboys.
Monaghan ran with the team yesterday and will be assessed today before Elliott finalised the line-up.
Hard-working second-rower Terry Martin has been ruled out with a hip flexor injury but will be available to play premier Penrith next weekend.
The Cowboys have lost winger Matt Sing, who is out for the season after having his jaw wired to repair an injury from State of Origin III.
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