The Canberra Raiders have been dealt a massive blow on the eve of the NRL season with halfback Jamal Fogarty set to miss first four months with a knee injury.
The injury was picked up on scans after the Raiders’ trial against Manly last week, with the club saying Fogarty will most likely require surgery to repair a torn meniscus and have listed his expected return date as round 15-17.
After struggling in halves last year, Fogarty was brought to the club as the major off-season recruit to partner Jack Wighton and help steer the team around.
The Wighton-Fogarty halves combination looked good in their first appearance together, combining well to lead Canberra to a comeback 18-16 win over Manly.
The 27-year-old played through Friday night’s trial with the injury and even trained on Monday, before realising something was really wrong.
“I kinda tried to get through the training session on Monday, but it didn’t really free up a whole lot,” Fogarty said.
“We just had a conversation, got a scan to see what it was and obviously the results came back and they weren’t so good.
“No one wants to be injured and coming to a new club I wanted to play every game for the club that’s just given me this opportunity … to put that on ice for now it’s a little bit bittersweet.”
But the upbeat Fogarty said he’d remain coming to headquarters and try and find ways to contribute to his new team.
“There’s no point in dragging my feet and being a sook because it’s not gonna change the situation and it’s not gonna be good for the team if I’m coming in moping around,” he said.
“I’ve just got to keep myself talking a whole lot around the place, just being myself.”
Once the Titans told him Toby Sexton would take over at halfback and he might need a stint in the Queensland Cup, a lengthy phone call with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart convinced him Canberra was the place to be.
“I just loved his honesty … he asked me what I thought of him as a coach and what I thought of their roster and I just told him I love the fact that you’re on the sideline, showing you’re passionate and (your) emotion, he’s a straight shooter,” Fogarty said.
“Our conversation went for about 30 minutes, as soon as I got off the phone I told my wife I just want to get to the Raiders.”
The race to replace Fogarty at halfback
However, the Fogarty injury now leaves Ricky Stuart searching for a replacement halfback just nine days out from the Raiders round one match against the Sharks.
It appears to be a three man race for the spot between veterans Sam Williams and Matt Frawley, along with youngster Brad Schneider.
Things have fallen the way of Schneider over the past few weeks and he appears the likely frontrunner for the 7 jersey after impressing during the recent trials.
With Williams and Frawley both ruled out of Canberra’s first trial against the Roosters due to COVID protocols, Schneider stepped into the key playmaking role and was one of the club’s standout performers.
The 21-year-old showed an impressive kicking game and also ran the ball well, running for 107 metres and scoring a try in the 32-18 win.
Williams, 30, ended up playing 12 matches in the halves last year after George Williams’ early exit and did little to cement his place in the team.
Frawley, 27, was given less opportunity, playing just the five matches but again did little to suggest he should be the club’s permanent halfback.
Canberra takes on Cronulla next Friday night, 11 March, at GIO Stadium. Click here for tickets.
Who do you think should wear the 7 jersey for the Raiders in round one? Let us know in the comments below.
With AAP
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