Redheads in rugby league are few and far between. In fact, they seem an endangered species. But that’s why it’s the more special seeing Canberra Raiders players Joel Monaghan and Alan Tongue being thrown 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, 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 displayed true form after lean years with injury at the Sydney Roosters.
But it was Monaghan’s last season at the Roosters that got Henry excited.
The now Raiders centre went on a try scoring rampage in the latter part of 2007, eventually finishing with 14 tries in just 17 games.
Thankfully for the Raiders, Monaghan’s move back to the nation’s capital has brought tremendous accolades for the club.
The Origin centre has formed the nucleus of a Raiders backline brimming with points and confidence.
Monaghan 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.
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