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Snippets from the Herald Match Report
Monaghan in Origin bolt
Glenn Jackson | May 12, 2007
Sea Eagles 22 Eels 12
NSW selectors had hoped a halfback would stand up. And while Matt Orford showed glimpses of Origin form, it was the player unwanted as a No.7 who stood tallest.
Just days before he is expected to announce he will be leaving the club - because he can't get a run at halfback - Michael Monaghan led the Sea Eagles to a 22-12 victory over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval last night in a performance that once again led former NSW coach Phil Gould to sing his praises. After earlier floating him as a possible Blues bolter, last night Gould added more weight, saying: "I don't know if he's the best, but I know we can win with him."
Monaghan seems to be in the same situation at Manly. He's not renowned as the best halfback, with Orford pulling most of the strings, yet they continue to win with him.
From next season they'll have to win without him because it is almost certain Monaghan will early next week be granted a release from the final year of his contract to take up a plum No.7 role with another NRL club or an English Super League outfit.
Monaghan, who turns 27 tomorrow, said he is likely to make a decision by Tuesday, the deadline the Sea Eagles have given him to make a decision. Although he is favoured to head to the UK, Wests Tigers are also keen to secure his services.
"The thing I really want to do is play halfback," Monaghan said after last night's win. "It's no secret that's why I want to move on. I have got offers over in England and Australia.
"I've been playing a few different positions but the thing I'm most pleased about is the consistency. The problem I've probably had in the past is that I'd have a couple of good games and a couple of average games."
Admittedly, Monaghan started at hooker last night, but the Sea Eagles looked at their most dangerous when Monaghan assumed playmaking duties in the second half.
And he did his work on a big stage: the 19,944-strong crowd was throbbing, a throwback to the clashes between the two clubs that inspired a beer commercial. Last night, it really was, here we go again …
Orford wasn't to be totally outclassed, grubbering for his winger Chris Hicks to score after 58 minutes. While it may not be enough to secure him a halfback spot for NSW, it was enough to get the Sea Eagles home.
Asked afterwards about his prospects, the player who has been picked twice before only to pull out through injury said: "Only the selectors can answer that. I'm not quite sure."
Lyon, an almost certain selection at centre for NSW in the first State of Origin, was quiet for the most part, lamenting the club's slow start as a "kick up the bum". All in all, the Ox and Lyon show was scratchy at best. Luckily for them, Monners came up with the money plays.
MANLY 22 (B Stewart 2 J Lyon C Hicks tries J Lyon 3 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 12 (T Smith Z Taia tries L Burt 2 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referee: P Simpkins. Crowd: 19,944.
Monaghan in Origin bolt
Glenn Jackson | May 12, 2007
Sea Eagles 22 Eels 12
NSW selectors had hoped a halfback would stand up. And while Matt Orford showed glimpses of Origin form, it was the player unwanted as a No.7 who stood tallest.
Just days before he is expected to announce he will be leaving the club - because he can't get a run at halfback - Michael Monaghan led the Sea Eagles to a 22-12 victory over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval last night in a performance that once again led former NSW coach Phil Gould to sing his praises. After earlier floating him as a possible Blues bolter, last night Gould added more weight, saying: "I don't know if he's the best, but I know we can win with him."
Monaghan seems to be in the same situation at Manly. He's not renowned as the best halfback, with Orford pulling most of the strings, yet they continue to win with him.
From next season they'll have to win without him because it is almost certain Monaghan will early next week be granted a release from the final year of his contract to take up a plum No.7 role with another NRL club or an English Super League outfit.
Monaghan, who turns 27 tomorrow, said he is likely to make a decision by Tuesday, the deadline the Sea Eagles have given him to make a decision. Although he is favoured to head to the UK, Wests Tigers are also keen to secure his services.
"The thing I really want to do is play halfback," Monaghan said after last night's win. "It's no secret that's why I want to move on. I have got offers over in England and Australia.
"I've been playing a few different positions but the thing I'm most pleased about is the consistency. The problem I've probably had in the past is that I'd have a couple of good games and a couple of average games."
Admittedly, Monaghan started at hooker last night, but the Sea Eagles looked at their most dangerous when Monaghan assumed playmaking duties in the second half.
And he did his work on a big stage: the 19,944-strong crowd was throbbing, a throwback to the clashes between the two clubs that inspired a beer commercial. Last night, it really was, here we go again …
Orford wasn't to be totally outclassed, grubbering for his winger Chris Hicks to score after 58 minutes. While it may not be enough to secure him a halfback spot for NSW, it was enough to get the Sea Eagles home.
Asked afterwards about his prospects, the player who has been picked twice before only to pull out through injury said: "Only the selectors can answer that. I'm not quite sure."
Lyon, an almost certain selection at centre for NSW in the first State of Origin, was quiet for the most part, lamenting the club's slow start as a "kick up the bum". All in all, the Ox and Lyon show was scratchy at best. Luckily for them, Monners came up with the money plays.
MANLY 22 (B Stewart 2 J Lyon C Hicks tries J Lyon 3 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 12 (T Smith Z Taia tries L Burt 2 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referee: P Simpkins. Crowd: 19,944.
