JOEL Monaghan says his role as Warrington Wolves skipper has led him to consider a career in coaching once he hangs up his try-scoring boots.

The 33-year-old watched Wolves’ win at Salford from the stands due to a hip flexor injury and hopes to be fit for the Magic Weekend clash with St Helens on Sunday, 3.15pm.

But the winger enjoyed Friday’s experience, congratulating each of his teammates as they left the field.

“I was pumped,” said Monaghan, who has scored eight tries in four Magic Weekend outings.

“As much as I don’t like sitting on the sideline, it was a good feeling to see the boys go out and get the job done.

“You pick more stuff up. It’s pretty easy on the sideline to point out things that are going wrong, so I was doing anything I could do to help, sending out messages etc.

“As a senior player and as a leader it’s probably my job to try and do that, and I thought the blokes that were out there did their job and really toughed out a good win for us.”

The former Australia international admits he has only recently considered a post-playing role.

“Early on in my career I didn’t think I would coach,” he explained. “The last few years I've enjoyed doing a fair bit with the outside backs.

“When you become a senior player at a club your focus changes; rather than just being a young player, coming in, getting your work done and getting out.

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“When you get a bit older you look at the game a bit differently and I think it is something I’d enjoy.

“I’ve got a decent rapport with the players. I didn’t think I would, but the last few years I’ve become much more interested in coaching.”

The Warrington captain has watched brother Michael make the transition from being a player to coaching in France at Catalans Dragons.

“He made it pretty easy,” said Monaghan. “He was a similar type of person where he coached a bit the way he played the game.

“He was a very smart player and is probably a smarter coach now. He always knew that was what he wanted to do so I think he found it pretty easy.”

Wolves lost one of their longest-serving players in Micky Higham to Leigh Centurions last week, but Monaghan is confident the £50k-deal suited all parties.

“We’re in contact,” he said. “Obviously it’s disappointing with how it all turned out, but what’s done is done and the clubs stood firmly on their ground – in the end it’s probably worked out best for both.

“We’re going to miss him as a person around the club and as a player, but with what Brad Dwyer’s done for us in the past two weeks, every cloud has a silver lining.”

And Monaghan believes 22-year-old Dwyer has equipped himself well for an assault on Super League.

“Being away in London and being a main player at a team has really helped him out,” he added.

“He’s come back full of confidence and I’m really enjoying watching him play. I always knew he had it in him with the type of player he is, very energetic.

“When he was with us there were a few flaws in his game which he went away and worked on, so it’s a credit to him. He’s good to have around – I missed him, actually.”

While his replacement’s popularity is quickly growing at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Monaghan expects Higham’s contribution to Wolves’ history will not be forgotten when his new side visit in Challenge Cup action next month.

“He was a popular man here on and off the field. If the fans want to send him off I don’t think anyone is going to stop them," he said.

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