THE sight of Joel Monaghan sprinting 90 metres down the touchline to score in the corner must have given Warrington fans a sense of déjà vu.

By the time he caught a high Stefan Ratchford kick to complete his hat-trick in the second half that feeling had changed to business as usual for Wire’s prolific winger.

After all, it was number 144 in as many games in a Warrington shirt.

But what set this Joel Monaghan hat-trick apart from all the others was that it will be his last in primrose and blue at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in front of the home fans.

The Australian could not have asked for a better send off, and should probably thank the roar of the home supporters for carrying him home for that long-range second score in the first half.

As the skipper himself said afterwards, it was one of Wolves’ best performances of the year.

When Stefan Ratchford, from centre, found his captain outside him in the opening stages it proved the catalyst for a carnival atmosphere at The HJ.

With neither side having anything to play for in the league, Wolves’ charges looked determined to give their colleagues a decent send off.

Indeed there was a case of past, present and future on Saturday, as Adrian Morley and Garreth Carvell joined in the pre-match entertainment before Monaghan passed the try-scoring baton on to young Academy graduate Jack Johnson.

The 19-year-old full back crossed for both his first and second scores in primrose and blue to top a whirlwind three weeks after making his debut against Hull FC.

But this was an impressive team performance and there was also a try-double from Ryan Atkins to celebrate as long for a touch down from the club’s top try-scorer this season, Ben Currie.

However it was two of Warrington’s other leavers who brought applause only Monaghan could top.

The hosts shifted the ball through hands six times before finding their skipper out wide, who handed off a would-be tackler before looping a pass inside for the supporting Richie Myler to go the distance.

Just to add the icing on a well-baked primrose and blue cake, Roy Asotasi stepped up to add the conversion in last home appearance.

Not even a late Stan Robin try could knock the cherry off that one.

MATCH FACTS

Warrington Wolves...48 Catalans Dragons...6

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Kevin Penny, Stefan Ratchford, Ryan Atkins, Joel Monaghan; Richie Myler, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood, George King. Subs: Ben Harrison, Roy Asotasi, Brad Dwyer, Joe Philbin.

Dragons: Morgan Escare; Thomas Bosc, Tony Gigot, Krisnan Inu, Jordan Sigismeau; Stan Robin, Scott Dureau; Olivier Elima, Ian Henderson, Jeff Lima, Elliot Whitehead, Benjamin Garcia, Jason Baiteri. Subs: Julian Bousquet, Antoni Maria, Joan Guasch, Ugo Perez.

Scoring: Monaghan try, 5mins, 4-0; Atkins try, 10mins, Sandow goal, 10-0; Monaghan try, 22mins, 14-0; Johnson try, 25mins, Sandow goal, 20-0; Currie try, 36mins, Sandow goal, 26-0; Atkins try, 53mins, 30-0; Monaghan try, 64mins, Sandow goal, 36-0; Johnson try, 69mins, Monaghan goal, 42-0; Myler try, 71mins, Asotasi goal, 48-0; Robin try, 76mins, Dureau goal, 48-6.

Sin bin: Benjamin Garcia, 56mins.

Penalties: Wolves 4 Dragons 7

Referee: Joe Cobb 

Attendance: 7,862

Joel Monaghan's eighth Wolves hat-trick

Warrington have won their last five home meetings with Catalans, with the Dragons’ last win at The Halliwell Jones Stadium coming 22-20 on 3 April, 2011.

Wolves' highest score by their biggest margin over the Dragons. Previously 44-16 (2006) and widest margin 40-6 (2010).

Jack Johnson's first two Wolves tries