When a veteran halfback walks away from a club he’s called home for four seasons, there’s usually more to the story than just a new jersey — Jamal Fogarty’s move from the Canberra Raiders to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2026 season became official in May 2025 with a reported contract worth close to $2.1 million over three years. This article traces the decisions, the dollars, and the details behind one of the NRL’s most talked-about transfers.
Age: 32 · Height: 177 cm · Weight: 85 kg · Position: Halfback · Current Team: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles · Previous Team: Canberra Raiders
Quick snapshot
- Signed with Manly on a three-year deal from 2026 (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles official announcement)
- Previously played four seasons for Canberra Raiders (2022–2025) (Manly Sea Eagles player profile)
- Height 177 cm, born 13 December 1993 in Beaudesert, Queensland (NRL.com official stats)
- Exact salary figures beyond the reported $2.1 million total (not publicly confirmed)
- Full reasons for his departure beyond “seeking a new challenge”
- Comprehensive injury history (not publicly documented)
- May 2025: Fogarty announced as Manly signing for 2026 (ESPN analysis)
- 2022–2025: Played for Canberra Raiders (Manly profile)
- 2015: NRL debut for Gold Coast Titans (NRL.com)
- Fogarty will join Manly’s pre-season for the 2026 NRL campaign (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Expected to become Daly Cherry-Evans’ successor at halfback (ESPN analysis)
Six biographical facts, one pattern: Fogarty’s profile fits the mold of a steady NRL halfback with a clear career arc from Titans debutant to Raiders playmaker to Manly’s next-generation leader.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 (as of 2025) |
| Height / Weight | 177 cm / 85 kg |
| Position | Halfback |
| Current Club | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Previous Club | Canberra Raiders |
| NRL Debut | 2015 (Gold Coast Titans) |
| Birthplace | Beaudesert, Queensland |
| Date of Birth | 13 December 1993 |
What happened to Jamal Fogarty?
An overview of his NRL career so far
- Jamal Fogarty made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans in 2015, per NRL.com (league’s official statistics platform).
- After stints with the Titans and later the Canberra Raiders (2022–2025), he accumulated over 100 NRL appearances and represented the Australian PM XIII side (Manly Sea Eagles profile).
- In May 2025, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles announced Fogarty would join the club on a three-year deal starting in 2026 (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles official club announcement).
Why this question is trending
Fogarty’s move generated significant attention because Manly positioned him as the successor to club legend Daly Cherry-Evans, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet). The transfer also raised questions about Canberra’s roster planning and the financial terms that lured a seasoned halfback away from a club he had committed to for four years.
Manly’s front office is betting that Fogarty, at 32, can provide two to three years of consistent halfback play while the club develops its next generation. For the Raiders, the departure frees salary-cap space but leaves a leadership void in the halves.
Is Jamal Fogarty leaving the Raiders?
The official announcement and timeline
- Yes, Fogarty’s departure was confirmed in the 2025 off-season. The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (official club announcement) stated Fogarty would move from Canberra to Manly at the end of the 2025 season.
- The deal was made official on 14 May 2025, with Fogarty describing it as an “exciting new chapter.” (ESPN)
His final season with Canberra
Fogarty played four seasons with the Raiders from 2022 to 2025, according to the Manly Sea Eagles player profile. He started at halfback for most of the 2025 campaign, leading the team in try assists before the announcement. That production highlighted why Manly pursued him and why his exit leaves a gap in Canberra’s halves.
How much does Jamal Fogarty earn?
Estimated salary based on NRL market
Exact salary figures are not publicly confirmed. However, based on NRL halfback market rates, Fogarty’s reported earnings range between $600,000 and $700,000 per season.
Contract details from public reports
- The ESPN (sports news outlet) reported the Sea Eagles deal was worth close to $2.1 million over three years, citing Australian Associated Press.
- A later report from Sport Nation (NRL analysis site) said Fogarty had agreed to terms around $700,000 per season.
The pattern: the discrepancy between a $2.1 million total and a straight $700K-per-year figure may reflect third-party agreements, performance bonuses, or signing-on fees not captured in base salary reporting.
Manly are investing roughly equivalent to a mid-tier halfback wage for a player who will turn 33 during the first year of the deal. For a club that has struggled with salary-cap balance, the Fogarty contract carries risk: it must perform at a level that justifies the cap space allocated.
Why did Jamal Fogarty leave the Raiders?
Factors behind the move
- Fogarty sought a new challenge and a clearer path to regular starting opportunities, according to club statements at the time of the announcement.
- Manly made a strong financial offer that reportedly exceeded his previous Raiders deal (ESPN).
- Canberra’s salary cap and roster planning — including the development of younger halves — contributed to the decision to release Fogarty, though the Raiders did not publicly detail their cap constraints.
Manly’s offer and roster situation
Manly were in urgent need of a proven halfback to replace the retiring Daly Cherry-Evans. ESPN (sports news outlet) described Fogarty as the “long-term successor.” The club’s willingness to offer a multi-year deal at a reported $2.1 million total reflected their desperation for an experienced playmaker.
How much did Manly offer Jamal Fogarty?
Reported contract value
The specific offer amount remains unconfirmed, but multiple media outlets have reported consistent figures. ESPN (sports news outlet) reported the deal as “close to $2.1 million over three years.” Sport Nation (NRL analysis site) later cited a figure of around $700,000 per season.
Comparison with his previous Raiders deal
Exact comparison is difficult because the Raiders never disclosed Fogarty’s salary. However, based on NRL market estimates for mid-tier halfbacks, his Canberra contract was likely in the $500,000–$600,000 range, making Manly’s offer a significant uplift.
Timeline: Key moments in Jamal Fogarty’s career
- – Born in Beaudesert, Queensland (NRL.com)
- – NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans (Manly Sea Eagles profile)
- – Played for the Canberra Raiders (NRL.com)
- – Signed with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2026 season (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles official announcement)
The timeline shows Fogarty’s steady progression from debutant to a sought-after playmaker, culminating in a high-profile move.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Fogarty plays for Manly Sea Eagles from 2026. (Manly official announcement)
- He previously played for Canberra Raiders (2022–2025). (Manly player profile)
- He is 32 years old, born 13 December 1993. (NRL.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures are not public.
- His injury history beyond general NRL reporting.
- Reasons for leaving Raiders beyond stated “new challenge.”
The disparity between confirmed facts and unclear details underscores the limits of public knowledge about player contracts and motivations.
In his own words: What Fogarty and the club said
“I’m excited for this new chapter and the opportunity to join a club with such a proud history. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to what the Sea Eagles are building.”
– Jamal Fogarty, via Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
“Jamal has been a valued member of our squad, and we wish him well in his future endeavours. He leaves with our thanks and respect.”
– Canberra Raiders management, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet)
For Manly, the bet on Fogarty as Cherry-Evans’ successor carries a clear deadline: deliver a competitive halves partnership by the 2026 season, or risk another rebuild. For the Raiders, losing a reliable halfback frees cap space but creates an early test for their developing halves. The next season will show whether both clubs made the right call.
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For those interested in another Fogarty making headlines, Darcy Fogartys AFL career offers a detailed look at his contract and performance.
Frequently asked questions
What position does Jamal Fogarty play?
He plays halfback in the NRL.
How old is Jamal Fogarty?
He is 32, born 13 December 1993 (NRL.com).
Where was Jamal Fogarty born?
In Beaudesert, Queensland (NRL.com).
Does Jamal Fogarty have children?
Yes, he is a father of at least one child, as seen on his social media.
Is Jamal Fogarty married?
Yes, he is married.
What is Jamal Fogarty’s Instagram?
His Instagram handle is @_jamalfogarty.
What is Jamal Fogarty’s nationality?
He is Australian.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.