LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Manly Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov has addressed speculation surrounding the club's interest in Jamal Fogarty, asserting that they have not engaged in discussions with the halfback yet.
Fogarty recently celebrated his 100th NRL game with the Canberra Raiders, prompting rumors of a potential move to Manly.
Fogarty's contract with the Raiders included a mutual option for 2026, and despite the Raiders missing the deadline to exercise this option, they rejected a request from Fogarty's management to explore other opportunities before Round 6.
Now that the deadline has passed, Fogarty is free to engage in negotiations with other teams.
However, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has reiterated his desire to retain the talented playmaker in the team.
Mestrov emphasized the Sea Eagles' stance on the Fogarty situation, stating, "We haven't spoken to Jamal.
When the time is right, the recruitment team will sit down and discuss what the needs are, but we're in a very fortunate position with both Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans who have given great direction to the young halves." This statement indicates that Manly is content with their current halves combination and will assess their recruitment needs before making any moves in the transfer market.
Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding Fogarty's future, Mestrov's comments suggest that Manly is not actively pursuing the halfback at this stage.
With Foran and Cherry-Evans providing stability in the halves for the Sea Eagles, the club seems to be prioritizing other areas of their squad before considering any potential recruitment options.
Additionally, Stuart's public declaration of wanting to retain Fogarty highlights the importance of the playmaker to the Raiders and his value within the team.
As the NRL season progresses, the future of Fogarty remains uncertain, with potential opportunities for the halfback to explore new options outside of Canberra.
However, Manly's position on the matter indicates that they will only engage in discussions with Fogarty if it aligns with their recruitment strategy and team needs.