The Canberra Raiders have announced a significant re-signing this week, with halfback Jamal Fogarty signing on with the club for a further two seasons until the end of 2026.
The new two-year deal is an extension on his current deal, with the final year of the new deal an option (2026).
Fogarty has been one of the Raiders’ most consistent players since joining the club in 2022, playing 39 matches for the club since making his Raiders debut mid-way through his first season.
He said he’s looking forward to guiding some of the club’s younger players into the future with the help from the Raiders’ current experienced players.
“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.
“We’ve got a good balance of experience and youth so hopefully a couple of those boys can step up this year and we can get a good start to the season and go better than we did last season. It’s exciting times.”
Fogarty said he and his young family have made a home here in Canberra and he wants to continue to build on the career and life he has established at the Raiders.
“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 said he is up for the challenge of working with the young halves coming through at the club and hopes to help them as much as possible, but also learn from them.
“Being the one senior half now that Jacko’s left, we’ve got a lot of young fellas in the halves so hopefully I can mentor them and teach them a couple of good habits, but also hopefully they can teach me a couple of things,” Fogarty said. “I’ll watch their games and see where I can add to my attacking repertoire.”
Raiders NRL Recruitment Manager Joel Carbone said re-signing Jamal gives the club the experience and leadership the team would need in the halves and his contribution to the club both on and off the field was an important part of him remaining in green.
“Jamal is a terrific role model for our young emerging halves but also for all young Raiders fans,” Carbone said.
“Jamal’s football has continued to improve since he joined our club, and we believe he’s the right man to help us to bring through the next generation of halves while still being a pivotal member of the current squad.
“He and his family have made a home here in Canberra and his work away from the football field mentoring the younger players and connecting with the community make him the perfect person to help guide us into the future.”
