Canteen Worker
First Grader
ADAM LUCIUS
28may05
CONCERNED Manly skipper Michael Monaghan has revealed his fear of being branded a mercenary and copping abuse from 18,000 fans at Brookvale Oval tomorrow as contracts talks with the club remain at an impasse.
In an honest disclosure on the eve of tomorrow's vital clash with Penrith, Monaghan told The Manly Daily: ``I am not a greedy person.
``The club is saying I've asked for extra money but that's simply not the case.
``I've got people coming up to me in the street asking me why I'm holding out for more money and questioning my loyalty.
``The last thing I want is to run out against Penrith and have our supporters booing me because they think I'm holding out on the club.
``Nothing could be further from the truth.
``I love it here and want to stay.''
Monaghan has been given two weeks to prove his worth before re-starting contract talks with the Sea Eagles.
The club is believed to be chasing Melbourne half-back Matt Orford and may be buying time by giving Monaghan an ultimatum.
``I don't know why they've put this deadline on me - the club's lost me a bit on all this,'' Monaghan said.
``But I don't mind that bit of extra pressure. It's up to me to perform over the next two weeks.''
The Manly captain has ruled out joining another NRL club if he is forced out of Brookvale and will instead head to England to play in the Super League.
Coach Des Hasler is desperately trying to keep a lid on the issue to ensure it doesn't derail Manly's charge to the finals.
It's been a testing week for the Sea Eagles boss, with the fallout from Monaghan's contracts talks coinciding with the well- publicised Shayne Dunley spitting case.
But there was good news for Hasler yesterday with his NSW Origin representatives - Ben Kennedy and Anthony Watmough - cleared to play against the Panthers.
Both want to start the game after originally being selected on the bench.
28may05
CONCERNED Manly skipper Michael Monaghan has revealed his fear of being branded a mercenary and copping abuse from 18,000 fans at Brookvale Oval tomorrow as contracts talks with the club remain at an impasse.
In an honest disclosure on the eve of tomorrow's vital clash with Penrith, Monaghan told The Manly Daily: ``I am not a greedy person.
``The club is saying I've asked for extra money but that's simply not the case.
``I've got people coming up to me in the street asking me why I'm holding out for more money and questioning my loyalty.
``The last thing I want is to run out against Penrith and have our supporters booing me because they think I'm holding out on the club.
``Nothing could be further from the truth.
``I love it here and want to stay.''
Monaghan has been given two weeks to prove his worth before re-starting contract talks with the Sea Eagles.
The club is believed to be chasing Melbourne half-back Matt Orford and may be buying time by giving Monaghan an ultimatum.
``I don't know why they've put this deadline on me - the club's lost me a bit on all this,'' Monaghan said.
``But I don't mind that bit of extra pressure. It's up to me to perform over the next two weeks.''
The Manly captain has ruled out joining another NRL club if he is forced out of Brookvale and will instead head to England to play in the Super League.
Coach Des Hasler is desperately trying to keep a lid on the issue to ensure it doesn't derail Manly's charge to the finals.
It's been a testing week for the Sea Eagles boss, with the fallout from Monaghan's contracts talks coinciding with the well- publicised Shayne Dunley spitting case.
But there was good news for Hasler yesterday with his NSW Origin representatives - Ben Kennedy and Anthony Watmough - cleared to play against the Panthers.
Both want to start the game after originally being selected on the bench.
