Fogarty Ready To Lead Manly Into Post-DCE Era

Jamal Fogarty plans to do things his way as he prepares to run out for Manly and end a 14 year DCE halfback reign this weekend against his old club Canberra.

After four strong years in the capital, Fogarty signed with the Northern Beaches club last year in the wake of bombshell news that Cherry-Evans would depart Manly.

Speaking ahead of his Round 1 clash, Fogarty said he is a different style of player to DCE, who played 352 games for Manly before signing with the Roosters from 2026.

"Everyone’s got to understand Daly is Daly and what he’s done for the club for so long, the success that he’s had here, over 300 games, a premiership, origin and tests, so I’m not the player that he is," Fogarty said.

"I’m going to be myself, I’m going to bring my own style, I am not going to try and do what he did here because that’s just unrealistic. 

"I am someone that’s very organising, I like to steer the team around and kick well. If I can just be myself, play my style of footy and fit into the team well, hopefully we can have a good year."

Organisational skills will be key to success on the peninsula this year with Fogarty set to steer the side around the park and create space for his his halves partner Luke Brooks' running game.

Between them, the pair chalked up 35 try assits and kicked for over 15,000 metres in 2025.

"Everyone knows Brooksy's strength is his running game and I’m someone who likes to organise stuff and very controlling in that middle part," Fogarty continued.

"So if I can do my job and steer the team around and create a little bit of time and space hopefully we can see Brooksy do his thing which he’s best at and that’s his running game. 

"In saying that, he’s a very good organiser and he can kick well so it kind of helps me out a little but that Brooksy's can take over a little bit and hopefully that can bring my running game into it as well and that’s something that I’ve got to work on as well within my own game." 

Manly will face a red hot Canberra Raiders side that finished top of the table in 2025 only to be knocked out of the finals series in straight sets.

"Obviously [it's] exciting to kick off the season here with a home game, up against the old club a little bit nervous and anxious," Fogarty said.

"Also excited, obviously it’s good to play them early in the piece, obviously if it’s later in the year there’s obviously a lot more weeks talking about it all so to get it out of the round one and crack on with the seasons is probably the best way for it to be. 

"The only pressure that there is, in my opinion, is the one that I put on myself. I’ve got high standards within myself, just trying to make sure I do my part and not let the team down."

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