BY DAN

Jamal Fogarty’s future at the Canberra Raiders is not on a precipice but it’s surely not sturdy. The Canberra Times reports he has made a request to test his value on the open market. This has been rejected by the club. So what’s going on?

This is all related to the upcoming judgement day. By the end of round six the Raiders have to make a choice as to whether to pick up Fogarty’s option for 2026. If they don’t, then an option is automatically available to him but at a reduced rate. If he doesn’t accept that then he’s a free agent.

With this in mind Fogarty is undoubtedly keen to work out what his value on the open market is. Halfbacks are always at a premium, so it’s likely that process would reveal clubs are interested in his services. After all he led the club in try assists despite playing barely half the games last season. He was the form half of the competition through the first six weeks last season. It makes sense there would be reasonable demand for his services.

If Canberra decide to pick up his option before round six this is unlikely to be a problem. But that Fogarty is wanting to test the market makes it clear he thinks that is unlikely to happen. It speaks to how impressive Ethan Sanders seems to have been in pre-season. To quote Coach Stuart on the Big Sports Breakfast:

I’ve found a really mature young man in regards to his knowledge of the game, his ability to work the ruck. He loves to receive the ball first, and he’s very good with the football. He creates a lot of opportunity for the players around him. He’s a guy who’s an organizer of the ruck. But I’ve also been impressed by the fact that he’s a great runner of the footy. So, you know, you’re seeing him play first grade at some stage of the year.

Canberra is clearly impressed with Sanders. It would not be fun for Fogarty to train his likely replacement. But it does give Jamal a front seat to see the readiness of the young man. Seeking to find his value on the open market only reflects a desire to understand his position.

It’s a shame because it seems he wants to stay in town. He said as much recently, suggesting in a perfect world he’d end his career in Canberra. But he’s also not a green-skin. He knows the business of the game. The Raiders have made a big investment in the future, and unfortunately Fogarty’s timeline doesn’t really match theirs. There are other clubs where he may be able to play a bigger role and have a longer career. But rejecting the reduce rate option only makes sense if he knows there are opportunities out there. It’s likely there are, but he’d like to know for sure. ‘Stick around, we’ll probably replace you and pay you less’ is a hard sell.

This is the nature of the beast. Neither party is to blame. Both just want what’s in their own self interest. This is just two trains heading in the wrong direction. The tracks are laid. It’ll take a miracle to avoid a collision. It seems it will result in Fogarty leaving the club for greener pastures (but less lime green I guess). Sometimes love isn’t enough. It’s a business after all.

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