League: Taunts dog Monaghan

Joel Monaghan. Photo / Getty Images

WARRINGTON - Even on the other side of the world, there is no escaping the taunts for Joel Monaghan.

Especially from his new English Super League teammates.

Warrington players are in no hurry to let him live down his infamous lewd act with a dog that ended his time at the Canberra Raiders in November.

When he walked into the changing rooms at Wolves for the first time, they were into him about the distasteful incident that sparked international headlines.

Not even having his big brother, Michael Monaghan, firmly entrenched at the club was going to stop a few barbs from flying around.

And while publicly Wolves players are trying to keep it clean, the former Kangaroo is copping plenty of stick behind closed doors.

On a clear, sunny morning not unlike a winter's day in Canberra, Warrington's chief playmaker, Lee Briers, could not help himself.

First there was barking during Monaghan's interviews at the club's pre-season media day and then the helpful suggestion to play Who Let the Dogs Out?

Monaghan smiled in the stands at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Fortunately for him, more than two months after the humiliating episode he is seeing the funny side of it all.

"Mick said, 'They are probably the toughest fans, the English fans, you are going to experience a lot,"' he said. "I know it is going to happen so I have got my head around that.

"I didn't turn the internet on or read a paper for about two months, but obviously I'm going to expect a few jokes.

"If they're real good ones, I'll have a chuckle."

He is still highly embarrassed about the incident but if there is any lingering bitterness, it is not evident.

Monaghan said there was no one else to blame but himself for the scandal that erupted after the release of an incriminating photo on Twitter.

He still feels intense guilt about the pain he caused his family from his alcohol-fuelled indiscretion and knows the stigma will be attached to him for life.

He said he was keeping a handle on his drinking and was planning on linking up with a new counsellor in the coming weeks to discuss his problems.

As for the expected abuse from English fans, he said he would do the same if roles were reversed.

- AAP