NRL Market Watch: Raiders star Jamal Fogarty puts contract talks on hold as Ricky Stuart weighs up his future

Canberra Raiders veteran Jamal Fogarty has put contract talks on hold, as coach Ricky Stuart weighs up the star half-back’s future at the club. See the latest transfer news.

Halfback Jamal Fogarty has put contract talks with Canberra on hold as coach Ricky Stuart prepares to unveil former Parramatta young gun Ethan Sanders in the first week of the pre-season challenge.

The Raiders have until Round 6 to activate an option to keep the veteran at the club in 2026.

But Fogarty told this masthead he met with Stuart and put negotiations on the back burner until the coach had made a decision over his future.

“I just said to Sticky (Stuart), ‘I’m going to put in park, get through pre-season, play my style of footy and I don’t want to deal with it until I get a response from the club,” Fogarty said.

If Fogarty is extended, he’ll be 33 years old at the end of his deal. But the playmaker is inspired by Daly Cherry-Evans’ - who turns 36 next month - and play on into his mid-30s.

“I want to play in the NRL as long as I can and I would like for that to be in Canberra, that’s up to the club. But hopefully, I get a nice green tick from them in round six,” Fogarty said.

Raiders star Jamal Fogarty has put contract talks on hold, ahead of a Round six deadline. Picture: NRL Photos

Stuart lured Sanders from the Eels on a three-year deal as a long-term option in the halves.

Sanders found himself stuck behind Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown at Parramatta but could be in a similar position in Canberra, where Fogarty is in line for an extension and five-eighth Ethan Strange is signed until the end of 2028.

While Fogarty, who missed 12 games with a biceps tear in 2024, and Strange are the first choice halves pairing for the season opener in Las Vegas, Sanders has made an immediate impact since his arrival in the summer.

Fogarty revealed that not only has Sanders turned up the heat for selection in the halves, the under-19s NSW Blues halfback has been teaching the 31-year-old some valuable lessons in staying “cool, calm and collected all the time.”

“Partnering with him at training just learning off him has been refreshing,” Fogarty said.

“He’s got a really good football game in the way he talks and sees things. He’s been very educational in how he doesn’t get flustered or erratic when he’s fatigued or the team being erratic. He likes to talk.

“He’s got a good running game and can pass the ball really nicely and he’s got a good kicking game. He’s got all the tools to be a great halfback.”

Sanders, who played two NRL games for the Eels in 2024, isn’t the only rising Raider set to press their claims for Round 1 selection in the pre-season challenge.

Boom fullback Chevy Stuart, 19, is vying for a start at fullback and expected to get a run in the first trial against Penrith on February 8 at Sharks Stadium.

Former Parramatta youngster Ethan Sanders has made a big impression in Canberra. Picture: Raiders Instagram

“He’s still a kid and got a lot of growth in him. If people like myself and the coaching staff can help educate him a bit more on the football side of things, he’s definitely going to be an important player for the club’ moving forward,” Fogarty said.

But Fogarty is confident Kaeo Weekes is the answer for the Raiders in the No.1 jumper long term.

Weekes was shuffled between halfback, fullback and five-eighth last season.

But Fogarty believes Weekes’ speed makes the 22-year old a genuine X-factor in attack from the back as the Raiders look to get back into the finals fold after missing out on a top eight spot last year.

“Everyone saw what he did for the Raiders at the back end last year and in the Prime Minister’s game,” Fogarty said.

“He can pass, he can kick and he can run. He plays his best football at fullback because he just needs to think about attacking and use his speed and raw talent.”

Winger Albert Hopoate will miss the Las Vegas season opener, leaving Jed Stuart, Savelio Tamale and Michael Asomua to use the pre-season trials as an audition for a Round 1 berth.

“The way Michael plays, he’ll easily fit on the wing. So will Jed, he’s a similar player and played a bit of NSW Cup last year. The way he applies himself at training, he’ll fit like a glove. Savelio is a damaging ball runner and strong,” Fogarty said.

Fogarty said coach Stuart is “unlikely to risk” Zac Hosking in the trials, as the hardworking forward races against the clock to recover from a calf injury in time for Round 1.