Premiership Contender Emerges

The Canberra Raiders haven't won a comp since big Mal Meninga's final game way back in 1994 but have assembled a squad that looks capable of going all the way this season. With Penrith all but out of play, it's an open comp and the Raiders have a team that, on their day, can tick all the boxes. They put half a century of points on the Eels in horribly hot and humid conditions in Darwin on Saturday night and are one of the few teams that looks capable of worrying the Storm. Their forwards, led by Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young, are aggressive and talented and Englishman Matty Nicholson gets better by the game. Halfback Jamal Fogarty isn't a world-beater but has a smart football brain and a superb kicking game and his match management is first class. Out wide they have tryscoring aces like Seb Kris, Kaeo Weekes, Matt Timoko and Xavier Savage while five-eighth Ethan Strange is a real jack in the box.

Huge twist in DCE saga as potential replacement revealed

Manly's search for a halfback to replace Daly Cherry-Evans may have already begun. According to 9News Sydney's Michael Chammas, the club have been interested in luring Canberra playmaker Jamal Fogarty to the club since late last year. Fogarty has a mutual option in his contract for next year in the nation's capital, which is worth approximately $650,000. "They've had their sights on Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty as early as last November to replace their captain," Chammas said on Wednesday night. "Sea Eagles have identified Fogarty as the ideal halves partner for Luke Brooks to replace Cherry-Evans when he leaves. "Complicating the matter is that Fogarty has an option in his contract with the Raiders, that they can take up and lock him down by round six. "If they don't do so, he will become a free agent for Manly to begin official negotiations." At 31 years of age, Fogarty is entering his prime years as a halfback and has started the season well for the Raiders, but the club have youngsters Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders on their books long-term. Strange has partnered Fogarty since his arrival at the Green Machine last year, while the highly-touted Sanders moved from Parramatta in the off-season. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the halfback's management requested permission to negotiate with rival clubs last year, but were knocked back by Canberra. Ricky Stuart will reportedly fly to Queensland after the side's round five game to discuss Fogarty's future with player agent Chris Orr. At this stage, neither the Sea Eagles or Raiders have confirmed the reports.

Raiders stars underrated asset

Jamal Fogarty has emerged as one of the most intelligent general play kickers in the NRL. The underrated halfback steered the Raiders to their shock 22-18 win over premiers Penrith in the national capital on Saturday afternoon. Fogarty doesn't have the blinding speed or evasive skills of some of his fellow No.7s. But what he does have is one of the best kicking games and he tormented the Panthers with a combination of towering bombs, fine long kicks downfield and well-placed grubbers. With such a variety of kicks in his arsenal, Fogarty shapes as a key man for the Raiders for years to come.

Raiders re-sign veteran half ahead of spine shake-up

The Raiders have had a win in player retention with halfback Jamal Fogarty re-signing for two years, tying him up with the club until the end of 2026.Fogarty's management had previously indicated the half's desire to test himself on the open market and was able to entertain rival offers as of November 1.However, the former Titan has stayed loyal, as the Raiders look to reshape their attack after the loss of Jack Wighton.The 29-year-old confirmed his desire was always to stay in the capital city. "I never wanted to leave the Raiders and I want to play here as long as I can," he said."Obviously it's good job security, but also just good to know it's all settled, and we don't have to relocate the family to somewhere else."The girls can keep going to school here and I think that's probably the most important part keeping them settled and keep doing what they're doing because if they're happy I'm happy and then hopefully that reflects on me playing good footy."Fogarty will be one of the more senior players in the Raiders squad next season following the departure of Wighton and Jarrod Croker's retirement.The halfback expressed his excitement at working with a young group which could see him linking with 19-year-old half Ethan Strange who made his NRL debut against the Storm in round 24."This year is a lot different losing a couple of key players in Jacko (Wighton) and Toots (Croker), but we've still got the majority of the senior boys here and got a lot of youth coming through which I'm really excited about," Fogarty said.

Raiders halfback's brilliance

Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty is fast developing a reputation as one of the smartest kickers in the NRL.Fogarty bagged two tries against the luckless Tigers on Friday night from kicks he deliberately aimed at the base of the uprights, collecting the rebounds to score.He also set up the Raiders' other try with a well-placed bomb.Fogarty isn't the quickest half in the NRL - but he is quick between the ears and that's a priceless asset in the modern game.