Michael Monaghan leaves Warrington Wolves a proud man

The 34-year-old is hanging up his boots after seven successful seasons in primrose and blue, coming on the back of seven campaigns in the NRL with Canberra Raiders and Manly Sea Eagles.

Although missing out on a third successive Grand Final appearance with Wolves due to Friday’s loss at Wigan, he will depart to France with three Challenge Cup winners’ medals, individual honours that include the Lance Todd Trophy and Player of the Year awards, a treasure trove of memories and lifelong friends.

He certainly has no regrets about his move to England with Warrington and is looking forward to moving into coaching as Laurent Frayssinous’ assistant at Catalan Dragons in 2015.

“Coming over here has all worked out pretty well,” said the hooker.

“There haven’t been too many things to have done differently along the way.

“We’ve built as a club and the thing I’m proud of – the same as when I left Manly – is that I leave the club in a really good position, better than when I got here.

“And I can only see good things for the club in the next few years. With Simon Moran (owner) and some of the staff here, it’s hard to see the club not moving forward.”

Although the career CV is missing the elusive Grand Final win, the three-times runner-up across both hemispheres says the time is right for him to retire despite feeling he could still do himself justice on the field.

More pertinent is that injuries have been taking their toll.

“I’d have loved to have kept playing, but sometimes you’ve got to be a bit smarter,” he said.

“When I get to a game, it’s not too bad – my knee and head are all right, but during the week I struggle to walk in the morning and I have had some side affects from concussions such as a few memory issues and some headaches, although nothing too much to worry about.

“But it is time to put my health first. I think I could continue playing but I’ve watched enough people who have gone on too long and I don’t want that to be me.

“I’ve had a good 14 years and I want to make sure the next 14 are just as good.

MONAGHAN Michael Monaghan thanks the fans for their support after Friday’s season-ending loss at Wigan Picture: MIKE BODEN “One of my favourite sayings is ‘discretion is a better part of valour’.

Sometimes the tough thing is to pull back, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Staying involved with the game though is important to him because of comradeship.

“The thing I have really enjoyed is the camaraderie with the boys,”

he said.

“It’s a pretty special job where you get to hang out with 30 mates every day, kick a ball around and have a laugh.

“I think if you ask most players after they have retired, the thing they miss most is the camaraderie with the boys. It’s something you don’t get in most other jobs.

“That’s part of the attraction in moving into coaching. You still get that atmosphere and that involvement with the players, so I’m looking forward to that challenge now.

“I’m extremely excited to begin my coaching career at the Catalan Dragons. It’s a club with amazing potential and I look forward to working closely with Laurent and the rest of the coaching staff to make the Dragons’ 10th season its best yet.”

Michael’s younger brother Joel has two seasons left on his playing contract with Warrington.