Eagles to sign Monaghan
EXCLUSIVE by DEAN RITCHIE
June 6, 2005
THE Michael Monaghan drama will this morning take an unexpected and dramatic twist with Manly poised to offer the spurned halfback a three year contract during a secret meeting.
The Daily Telegraph has been told a high-powered meeting will occur at 9.30am between Monaghan, his manager Jim Banaghan, Manly coach Des Hasler and Sea Eagles executive chairman Paul Cummings.
Sources close to Monaghan last night revealed a press conference has tentatively been booked for this afternoon where it is expected the Manly captain will sign a new deal estimated to be worth about $240,000 a season.
The anticipated deal represents an amazing turn-around after the club and player were locked in harsh disagreement over the weekend.
On Saturday, Manly released a statement claiming Monaghan would not be offered a new deal.
The player retaliated yesterday by declaring Manly had been "gutless" through the on-going contact ordeal.
Hasler and Cummings met yesterday to discuss the situation.
"We were bitterly disappointed about what has been said," Cummings said. "The situation has become out-of-control. I don't want to say any more."
In NRL action yesterday, Parramatta won the western Sydney derby with a 32-22 victory over Penrith at Penrith Football Stadium. Brisbane beat an Andrew Johns-led Newcastle 34-16 while Melbourne came from an 8-0 half-time deficit to beat the Wests Tigers 30-14 at Leichhardt Oval.
