The Titans are digging their heels in over the future of halfback Jamal Fogarty, telling the Raiders they won’t be releasing the 27-year-old.
Fogarty, who has enjoyed a stunning rise from journeyman fringe NRL player to co-captain of a finals side in just two years, is contracted with the Titans until 2023, and Nine News’ Danny Weidler reports that he will not be given a release from the deal.
https://twitter.com/Danny_Weidler/status/1440835024824123399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The news comes as a blow to the Raiders, who are in the market for a No.7 after releasing Englishman George Williams suddenly mid-season.
After starting 2021 as one of the premiership favourites, the Raiders barely fired a shot without the cunning playmaker and finished in a disappointing 10th place, missing a playoff spot on for and against.
It has brought them to a crucial recruitment window, with a new halfback a must-sign for Ricky Stuart prior to next season.
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Yesterday, the Courier-Mail reported that the Raiders were keen on Fogarty and that the halfback would conduct urgent talks with Titans club management in an effort to put himself back on the open market.
However, it hasn’t taken long for that possibility to be shut down, with the Titans having already cut their former golden boy and million-dollar-man Ash Taylor after his contract ended at the end of this season.
Taylor’s departure leaves the Titans thin in the halves, even taking into account the rapid rise of 20-year-old local boy Toby Sexton.
Sexton is expected to get first crack at the No.7 jersey in 2022, potentially leaving Fogarty’s first grade spot vulnerable.
That factor, alongside the impressive performance from Fogarty in a big Titans win over the Raiders reportedly piqued the interest of Raiders coach Stuart, himself a former champion halfback.
However, it now appears Stuart and the Raiders will have to continue their search for a halfback elsewhere, leaving their 2022 prospects uncertain.
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