Burleigh secure Jamal Fogarty replacement

The Burleigh Bears have found the field general they hope can replace Jamal Fogarty as the spearhead of their reigning champion Intrust Super Cup side.

The Burleigh Bears have found the field general they hope can replace Jamal Fogarty as the spearhead of their reigning champion Intrust Super Cup side.

Runaway Bay five-eighth Guy Hamilton signed with Burleigh over the weekend in the hope a leap outside his comfort zone could springboard him onto an NRL radar.

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17th October 2020, Runaway Bay player Guy Hamilton in action during the Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears played at CBus Stadium Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

South Sydney Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker bloomed at Easts Tigers before shining at the Bunnies while it took an MVP campaign with the Bears for Fogarty to catch the eye of the Titans this year.

At 25, Hamilton is ready to follow in their footsteps as a mature-age NRL ‘rookie’.

“Jamal has given a lot of people hope,” Hamilton said.

“It’s the same with Cody Walker. People think once you’re past 23 you’ve missed the boat but these players make it seem like it’s still possible.

“They light a little fire in you and Burleigh are doing that for me.”

Hamilton has spent time with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos systems with his former Queensland Cup sides but the chance to play under the eyes of Justin Holbrook’s Titans was the biggest attraction to life on the Coast.

“Burleigh have shown there’s a pathway if you’re playing good football and that’s what I want to do,” he said.

“I’ve played against them for a while (with Sunshine Coast Falcons and Souths Logan Magpies) and they’re known for being a fair footy side.

“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and I thought the best thing for my footy was to come to a strong side with an NRL calibre coach like Rick Stone.

“I want to play behind a good pack to show what I can do on the front foot, and Burleigh always get on the front foot.”

Jamal Fogarty of the Bears is tackled by Billy Magoulias of the Jets during the 2019 National State Championship Grand Final between the Newtown Jets and the Burleigh Bears at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, October 6, 2019

Stone said the chance to watch Hamilton up-close in the Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade competition this season reinforced his interest in signing him for Burleigh.

“We’re really excited and pleased Guy has decided to come here and have a go at the Bears this year,” he said.

“Obviously we need someone to replace Jamal and in this enivironment it’s hard to replace someone who’s been an MVP and played 18 games in the NRL.

“Guy is 25 and he’s ready to play the best footy of his career.

“I don’t want to lock him in but I think halfback is his best position and that’s where he’ll get first crack next year.”

Burleigh have also signed Tweed Seagulls workhorse John Palavi while exciting outside backs Corey Denniss (Rabbitohs) and Andre Niko (Raiders) have also joined the club to push for Top 30 places at the Titans.

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