New Manly halfback Jamal Fogarty has told Yahoo Sport Australia he is bracing for former teammates to attempt to “hunt down and humiliate him” when he goes up against Canberra on Saturday night. After four years at the Raiders, Fogarty inherits Daly Cherry-Evans‘ No.7 jersey at the start of a new era at Brookvale – and his first appointment could not be any hotter.
While the 32-year-old left the nation’s capital on good terms, Fogarty is fully aware of coach Ricky Stuart’s MO when it comes to players who leave the NRL club. The Raiders go out of their way to target old boys and the halfback will be firmly in their sights.
Manly recruit Jamal Fogarty (L, centre) is expecting coach Ricky Stuart (R) and his former Raiders teammates to target him in the NRL round one clash. Pic: Getty
The club’s former attack coach Mick Crawley, writing for Fox Sports, warned: “Jamal knows exactly what happens next. He knows Ricky Stuart. He knows that in those cramped, away sheds, the order will be given to ‘Pig him.’
“Sticky loves nothing more than hunting down an ex-player and humiliating him, and Jamal has the red dot squarely on his chest. He’ll need every bit of that muscular frame and cunning to survive the heat the ‘Green Machine’ is about to bring.”
Jamal Fogarty expects to be targeted by former teammates
Fogarty is unfazed about the Canberra welcoming committee, telling Yahoo Sport Australia: “Yeah, I am expecting them to come at me. I’ve been talking to a couple of mates that are still at the Raiders and they’re already getting into me about making so many tackles.
“They’ve got a set down there (at Canberra) designed to target one person and every player that leaves the club gets it, gets their name put on that set. That’s not a shock and obviously it’s a game plan that the club’s had for a long time with Sticky there.
“He’s an intense bloke and probably the most competitive person I’ve ever met. I had a great relationship with him and wouldn’t be the player I am without him but I know he will be telling his players to do everything they can to put me off my game. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve just got to bite down on my mouth guard and do my best.”
Manly signing Jamal Fogarty comes up against his former club in round one when the Sea Eagles host the Canberra Raiders at 4 Pines Park. Pic: Getty
As soon as the draw came out, Fogarty looked up when he would line up against Canberra. “I am sort of glad it’s come up straight away,” he said.
“It will be business for 80 minutes and then hopefully I can catch up with the boys and all the staff after the game. There’s no sourness or bitterness there at all. The club made a business decision (not to offer a long-term deal) and I had to look after myself. That’s footy.”