FOGARTY KICKS ON
Titans discard big part of Stuart’s plans for the future
coach Ricky Stuart has spoken about his desire to make halfback Jamal Fogarty a Raider for life as the Titans discard prepares to sink the boot into his former club.
Fogarty will pilot the redhot Raiders into Sunday night’s chilly encounter against winless Gold Coast in the nation’s capital.
A Gold Coast product, Fogarty was shown the door three separate times by the Titans after coming through the club’s junior system and having two cracks in the NRL.
Now 30, Fogarty has found a home under Stuart in Canberra and cemented the Raiders’ No.7 jersey, while Titans counterpart Tanah Boyd has
South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has admitted being “angry, sad, shocked and frustrated” at being dumped for his club’s match against Cronulla at Accor Stadium on Saturday.
A NSW State of Origin star, Cook was a shock omission from a Rabbitohs side desperately chasing a win to save coach Jason Demetriou from being sacked.
“Of course I’m angry – frustrated and angry; sad, all the emotions,” Cook told the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.
“No doubt, it shocked me. It was obviously a tough conversation (with Demetriou) in the struggled in the opening month of the NRL season.
Despite a string of poor performances, Boyd has retained the halfback duties and Titans coach Des Hasler has few options as he looks to snap a four-game losing streak this season.
Stuart said he had been impressed by Fogarty and wanted him to remain with the club beyond his playing days.
“When the Titans decided to go another way, I was in the Covid hub at the Gold Coast and spoke to his manager about Jamal’s interest in joining us,” he said.
“Everything I’ve seen with him is what I was told. He was trusted, a captain and a positive person.
“His transition with Khalia morning. I want to be out there on the field doing my best to get us out of where we are. That’s why I’m angry and frustrated because I want to be out there with them.
“But I can’t mope around. All I can do is focus on my game, where I can be better and work harder to get back. (partner) and the girls in Canberra has been as good as any recruit I’ve brought in from outside Canberra.
“When I met him I was really impressed with the genuine character in him. I love his cheekiness and the shit he puts on me.
“He is someone that we want to be around the club long-term. I don’t just see it as a playing career for Jamal, I’d love to keep him, Khalia and the girls around long-term.
“That’s how highly I think of him. He is a loyal kid.”
Fogarty was first let go by Gold Coast in 2014 after failing to earn an NRL contract during
I’m confident I’ll be back.” Asked if he had been made a scapegoat, Cook said: “No, I don’t think so. We’re not winning at the moment. The leaders of the team need to lead the way and we mustn’t be doing a good enough job.”
Cook hasn’t been named in the NSW Cup this weekend.
With a bye next week, it means Cook won’t play a game for up to three weeks.
“All I can do is try and prove myself at training,” he said.
Cook gave an insight into his discussion with Demetriou.
“He wants me to keep working hard and that’s all I can do … I know I’ve got more to give,” Cook said. a stint with the Titans under-20s on the back of being an Australian Schoolboys representative with Palm Beach Currumbin.
Fogarty moved to Parramatta and eventually earned an NRL debut with the Titans in 2017 but was squeezed out again. He returned to the Burleigh Bears and won the 2019 Queensland Cup premiership. He was recalled to the Titans in 2020 and looked to have made the halfback role his own, before former coach Justin Holbrook decided to put his faith in emerging prosCanberra pect Toby Sexton, who has since joined the Bulldogs.
That prompted Fogarty to be released to Canberra before the 2022 NRL season, his third departure from the Titans’ system, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Fogarty has now played 44 games for the Raiders to take his NRL tally to 85 and can deliver another knockout blow to the wooden spoon favourites on Sunday night.
Stuart said Fogarty had become a favourite in the Canberra dressing room because of his commitment to the club.
“From a football point of view, he really cares about his game and the team,” Stuart said. He wants to do everything he can for the team.
“He is very well liked.”