Burleigh’s reigning Intrust Super Cup Player of the Year, Jamal Fogarty, signs two-year Titans deal
ONE of the Intrust Super Cup’s biggest names is back on the NRL radar after joining Justin Holbrook’s Titans revolution on a two-year deal.
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FORMER Titan and reigning Intrust Super Cup Player of the Year Jamal Fogarty is back on the NRL radar after joining Justin Holbrook’s Gold Coast revolution on a two-year deal.
Having claimed the ISC’s Petero Civoniceva Medal in September before steering Burleigh to the premiership days later, Fogarty will today be unveiled as a member of the Titans’ Development Squad for 2020.
The 26-year-old halfback will then move into the senior playing squad, coached by Holbrook, next year.
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It is the third stint with Gold Coast for the former Australian Schoolboys star, who played for the club’s under-20s in 2012-13 before stints at Tweed, Burleigh and Parramatta.
He returned to the Titans in 2017 and made two NRL appearances but said he now felt ready to take his chance at the top level.
“I have definitely taken longer to understand my role and what I am meant to be as a rugby league player. I am pretty comfortable with where I am at at the moment but I am always trying to educate myself and trying to improve,” the Beaudesert product said.
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“If I can follow the steps of someone like Cody Walker (at South Sydney) – he has done an amazing job and I won’t be that good – but if I can replicate something along the lines of that and take it to the next level, that would be awesome.
“It is a bit of a weird feeling (being back at the club), I didn’t really think it would happen but it has. I am really excited and grateful for the opportunity.
“I got good support down at Burleigh with coaching staff and players. And I think my home life and work life have been the most stable it has ever been, which has made life enjoyable and I am enjoying my footy at the moment.
“All my friends and family are close by so I definitely think the Gold Coast is home and that is where I am the most comfortable.”
FORMER TITAN EARNS SECOND NRL CHANCE
Titans head of performance Mal Meninga said Fogarty had all the attributes to replicate the success of Walker, who made his NRL debut at 26 before emerging as a NSW Origin representative and one of the game’s leading halves.
“Jamal is a terrifically-talented footballer but in the past couple of seasons his game has blossomed with greater experience and the responsibility of leadership,” Meninga said.
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“I really see the same situation here with Jamal (as Walker). There is no doubt he is ready to play NRL and he brings the benefit of his experience, and grand final-winning experience at that, with him to a young squad here at the Titans.”
Gold Coast also added prop Jaimin Jolliffe to their 2020 Development Squad on Thursday.
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