Warrington Wolves have confirmed that current captain Joel Monaghan will leave the club at the end of this season – with TotalRL.com understanding he could be set to remain in Super League in 2016.
In addition to those previously announced – Richie Myler moving to Catalans Dragons, Chris Bridge to Widnes Vikings and Simon Grix joining the performance team – Roy Asotasi will be returning home with Joel Monaghan and Gareth O’Brien moving on having been released from the final year of their contracts.
Monaghan made his debut for the club in 2011 and has gone on to make 143 appearances, crossing for 141 tries, taking on the role of captain this season. He was part of the squad that picked up the League Leaders Shield in his opening season and went on to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley alongside his brother Michael the following year, 2012.
O’Brien, a product of the club’s academy system, made his first-team debut in 2011 with 62 appearances, 19 tries, 78 goals and three drop goals. He also represented Warrington schools and played some of his junior rugby at Rylands.
Former New Zealand and Samoan international Asotasi joined the club in 2014 from South Sydney Rabbitohs and has gone on to make 57 appearances, holding heritage number 1107.
Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith said: “While I have expressed our gratitude for each individual, collectively I’d like to thank each of the players for their commitment to the club and wish them well. We will always welcome them back in the future.
“I’d like to thank Joel for the service he has given over the last few years and we also appreciate his professionalism and attitude along the way. His try scoring accomplishments have helped the club achieve great things and we wish Joel every success with his future. He’s been a big character within the team and within the club, and has been an absolute pleasure to work with, and will remain a very popular personality who has shared in some great history-making for the club.”
