Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty has opened up on his decision to depart the nation’s capital and his contract breakdown with Canberra that left him “gutted”.
According to Code Sports, the 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth around $2 million deal to take over at halfback from the departing Daly Cherry-Evans.
Fogarty reportedly met with Stuart on Tuesday morning to break the news, having battled with his decision over several weeks, breaking his silence on the decision on Wednesday.
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“I’m pretty gutted to be leaving,” Fogarty said.
“I’ve got great relationships with coaches and players here and we (wife Kahlia and their children) love how slow and laid back it is in Canberra.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity that Manly have given me for the next three years. It’s great the deal is all sorted and we can move on with our season.”
Fogarty’s new deal will see him pocket around $1 million more than the Raiders’ two-year contract they tabled, which came after they made a big decision regarding their No.7.
The club failed to trigger a clause in Fogarty’s deal which would have extended him immediately for the 2026 season, with that salary reportedly being around $650,000.
Instead, they attempted to renegotiate his contract after the Sea Eagles came knocking.
“I always wanted to stay and the club knew I wanted to stay,” he said.
“My agent rang the club three times during the pre-season to activate the one-year deal.
“Unfortunately they (Canberra) knocked it back and wanted to renegotiate.
“In the end, the Raiders just didn’t budge on their offer which was well below my current deal. The club made a business decision and so did I.”
Fogarty made it clear he still has a strong relationship with Ricky Stuart, who handed him a big opportunity in 2022 after he was allowed to depart the Titans.
Meanwhile, Raiders legend Mal Meninga was disappointed the experienced halfback was leaving the nation’s capital.
He also suggested a shorter contract would have allowed the playmaker to cash in on a lucrative deal with one of the Perth Bears or Papua New Guinea franchises.
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“I’m disappointed for the club but I’m happy for Jamal,” Meninga said on SEN.
“A three-year contract and the money they’re talking about is exceptional and who would have thought half a dozen years ago that he’s earning $700k a year joining a club as a major playmaker.
“So good on him – he’s worked his butt off.
“(But) If I’m managing him or advising him, which I’m not. I would sign a two-year contract and telling him to back himself.
“Take the two years, 2026-27, and set himself up for the Bears or the PNG side.”
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