Joel Monaghan the fuel of the Green Machine
September 11th 2008 09:32
Red heads in Rugby League are few and far in between. They seem an endangered species in the NRL, but that is why it’s the more special seeing Canberra Raiders players Joel Monaghan and Alan Tongue being cast into the limelight for all the right reasons.
Monaghan was named the inaugural Mal Meninga medallist after beating out team-mate Terry Campese for the honour of the Raiders best player this season.
Tongue on the other hand received the Dally M captain of the year award on Tuesday night after leading a Green Machine, who many believed would have no fuel left come late September, into the finals finishing in sixth position.
While Tongue basks in his new found aura of success, Monaghan has been one player that has gone under the radar in recent seasons.
Canberra coach Neil Henry was Monaghan's mentor during his younger years at Erindale College.
It was there Henry saw the untapped potential of a player that has finally showcased true form after lean years with injury at the Sydney Roosters.
But it was Monaghan's last season at the Roosters that cast Henry into excitement.
The now Raiders centre would go on a try scoring rampage in the latter part of 2007, eventually finishing with 14 tries in just 17 games played.
Indeed Monaghan was displaying unparalleled form and Henry knew he had to be the guy who would stand tall in a team seemingly bereft of class and luck in 2008.
Thankfully for the Raiders, Monaghan's move back to the nation's capital has weaved tremendous accolades for the club.
The Origin centre has formed the nucleus of a Raiders backline brewing with points and confidence.
Monaghan alone has scored 14 tries this season, including a hat-trick last week against the hapless Bulldogs, to lead Canberra into sixth position on the NRL ladder.
It was a performance that has given the Raiders enough hope to head late into the finals.
And No doubt it could be the three tries that ends the Dragons' season when they head to Brookvale Oval to face the Manly Sea Eagles this Saturday night.
But Monaghan does not care how far his actions echo into this years finals series.
Just as long as they echo glory for the Raiders, Monaghan could himself experience the emotion of a Grand Final victory, just like Meninga did all those years ago.
Impossible one may think, but so was Canberra’s chances in making this years top eight presumably.
No doubt receiving the inaugural 'Mal Meninga medal' will help Monaghan’s cause.
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