Manly have identified Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty as the replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans, opening conversations with the Raiders No.7’s management about joining the club from next season.
On the same day that Cherry-Evans addressed his teammates about his future and vowed to do everything in his power to leave the club with a premiership, this masthead can reveal Manly have been planning for his exit for months.
The Sea Eagles have identified Fogarty as Cherry-Evans’ replacement despite offering the club captain a two-year extension worth $1.4 million on Tuesday.
The negotiations with Fogarty’s management raise questions about the Sea Eagles’ offer to Cherry-Evans.
Complicating matters is a clause in Fogarty’s Raiders contract, whereby the club has until round six to take up a $650,000 deal for next year.
If the Raiders don’t take up the club option, Fogarty will become a free agent in just over two weeks. He also has a player option in his contract, which means he can take up by round 20 to stay at the Raiders in 2026.
Jamal Fogarty could be headed to the Sea Eagles.Credit: AP
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has agreed to fly to the Gold Coast and meet with Fogarty’s management company after the round five game against the Sharks next Thursday night to discuss the halfback’s future.
Stuart and the Raiders are refusing to deal with Fogarty’s agent, Tas Bartlett, and will instead meet with Chris Orr from the same management company.
Fogarty’s management requested permission from the Raiders to open negotiations with rival clubs during the off-season, however, Canberra officials rejected the approach.
The player option is worth a lot less than the club option, however, the Raiders are considering meeting in the middle to keep the former Titans playmaker at the club for another year.
The Sea Eagles have a number of contingency plans, including moving Tom Trbojevic to five-eighth to partner Luke Brooks in the halves, opening the door for young gun Lehi Hopoate to play fullback for the Sea Eagles.
However, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the confidentiality of the negotiations, told the Herald Manly’s preferred option is for Fogarty to partner Brooks.
