FORMER Australian player Joel Monaghan has committed to playing for Albury.
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The five-time Test player will debut for Thunder in the West Belconnen Warriors Nines on Friday night with captain-coach Adrian Purtell describing his signing as “massive” for the Border club.
“We’re over the moon,” Purtell said.
“He’ll play for us this weekend which is great news for us.
“To get someone of Joel’s ability is going to be great for the young Albury players in particular.”
Purtell will talk to Monaghan about his availability throughout the home and away season over the weekend.
The club is hopeful the nines appearance won’t be a one off.
“It’s all happened fairly quickly and we haven’t nutted that out yet,” Purtell said.
“The first hurdle was to get him registered for the nines.
“We need to talk about his work and other commitments but at the moment I’m just rapt that he’s on board with us.”
Purtell is unsure what position Monaghan will play at Greenfield Park.
“I haven’t really spoken to him about yet,” he said.
“He’s obviously a dangerous centre.
“He scored 140 tries from 140 games on a wing for Warrington though so it’s prtetty much up to him.
“I think he warrants that respect.”
Monaghan made his NRL debut in 2001 for Canberra before moving to England in 2011 and has spent the past seven years in the English Super League.