Why Fogarty Finds DCE Comparison “Disrespectful”
Manly’s latest signing Jamal Fogarty has officially entered pre-season with the Sea-Eagles, making clear his self-expectations as he adjusts his game to slide into position at the new club – and firmly stating why comparisons to outgoing legend Daly Cherry-Evans leave him feeling disrespected.
The former Canberra local has recently made the move to the Northern Beaches, signing with Manly for the 2026 season after a three-year tenure with the Raiders. It will be his third NRL club, and the halfback has admitted that settling in has taken time – though he’s already embracing his new surroundings. “Coming into pre-season this year looks a little bit different,” the 295-gamer told Jarrod Croker on SEN Sportsday. “At a new club you’ve got to build new relationships, learn different structures and systems, how the team works around defence and attack. Even the regular scheduling is a lot different to what I’m used to. It has taken a little bit to adjust, but it is a great bunch of fellas I get to train with every day, and the coaching staff are great. It’s been a super enjoyable first couple of weeks.”
But it’s the weight of expectation following the departure of Manly’s all-time games leader in Cherry-Evans that has dominated conversation around Fogarty’s arrival. With fans and media hyper-focused on whether he can fill the shoes of one of the club’s greatest ever players, the halfback has clapped back at those drawing direct parallels. “I think it’s, in a way, disrespectful to compare me to him,” Fogarty told Croker. “His ability to play off the cuff and see things before they unfold, and take full advantage of that, is why he’s one of the best in the game. I’m just a guy who is lucky enough to play this game as a job.”
Rather than trying to replicate Cherry-Evans’ free-flowing style, Fogarty is determined to stamp his own mark on the Sea-Eagles. “Lots of people are looking at me to fill his shoes, but I’m Jamal Fogarty and I’m going to play my style of football. I’m going to be myself and bring a different style of football. I’m a bit more structured in how I go about my business, and of course I will be compared to him, but I am just going to be myself. I know what I can bring to the team, and also what I’ve got to work on.”
While he doesn’t have the same longevity as Cherry-Evans, Fogarty still brings significant experience to Manly’s spine – and he’s poised to play a key role in unlocking the side’s attacking potential. “I think they are looking to me for some structure, to allow the other players to have a more freestyle range of football – (Manly) have some pretty handy players.”
Fans will get their first look at the new-style Sea-Eagles on March 7 at Brookvale Oval, where Fogarty will take on his former side the Canberra Raiders in Round 1. “Coming up against the Raiders in Round 1, it will be good to get it out of the way, and then I can get on with my season. It’ll be super weird coming up against some of my best mates and old teammates, so it’ll be good to get it out of the way nice and early.”
