Joel Monaghan's impending exit from Canberra could serve to strengthen the Raiders' playing roster as the NRL club continues its pursuit of former Manly premiership-winning halfback Matt Orford.

Monaghan is on Monday expected to quit the Raiders, the former NSW and Australian representative paying the ultimate price for a shocking Mad Monday atrocity in which he was photographed simulating a lewd act with a dog.

The photograph first went public via email before it was published on the internet on Wednesday.

His decision to walk away from the final two years of his $250,000-a-season deal will save the Raiders board the formality of sacking Monaghan, with a meeting scheduled for Monday.

In various media reports on Sunday, Monaghan said he had little choice but to walk away from the Raiders as he looked to save the club any further embarrassment.

The 27-year-old is hoping to revive his career in England with a Super League club, with the NRL likely to de-register him as a result of the episode.

If there is one positive for the Raiders to emerge from the sordid mess, it is that the club will have some extra cash to throw at Orford, who is keen to return to the NRL after a season with Bradford.

The Raiders and Parramatta are both battling for Orford's services, with Bradford believed to be chasing a transfer fee in the region of $200,000 to release the 32-year-old from the final two years of his deal.

New Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels have also expressed some interest in Orford

No English clubs have yet to signal their interest in Monaghan, whose brother Michael plays with Warrington.

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