NRL 2024: How Titans lost Payne Haas, Jamal Fogarty, Jahrome Hughes | 20 recruitment blunders
Titans fans won’t want to see pictures of Payne Haas in Gold Coast colours after the season they’ve had. In a look back on what could’ve been, see the list of the 20 biggest recruitment mistakes in recent history.
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Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has spoken about his desire to make halfback Jamal Fogarty a Raider for life as the Titans discard sunk the boot into his former club.
A Gold Coast product, Fogarty was shown the door on three separate occasions by the Titans after coming through the club’s junior system and having two cracks in the NRL.
Now 30, Fogarty has found a home under Stuart in Canberra and cemented the Raiders’ No. 7 jersey while Titans rival Tanah Boyd has struggled.
Stuart said he had been impressed by Fogarty and wanted him to remain with the club beyond his playing days.
“When the Titans decided to go another way, I was in the Covid hub at the Gold Coast and spoke to his manager about Jamal’s interest in joining us,” he said.
“Everything I’ve seen with him is what I was told. He was trusted, a captain and a positive person.
“His transition with Khalia (partner) and the girls in Canberra has been as good as any recruit I’ve brought in from outside Canberra.
“When I met him I was really impressed with the genuine character in him. I love his cheekiness and the shit he puts on me.
“He is someone that we want to be around the club long-term. I don’t just see it as a playing career for Jamal, I’d love to keep him, Khalia and the girls around long-term.
“That’s how highly I think of him. He is a loyal kid.”
Fogarty was first let go by Gold Coast in 2014 after failing to earn an NRL contract during a stint with the Titans under-20s on the back of being an Australian Schoolboys representative with Palm Beach Currumbin.
Fogarty moved to Parramatta and eventually earned an NRL debut with the Titans in 2017 but was squeezed out again, returning to the Burleigh Bears and winning the 2019 Queensland Cup premiership.
He was recalled to the Titans in 2020 and looked to have made the halfback role his own, before former coach Justin Holbrook decided to put his faith in emerging prospect Toby Sexton, who has since joined the Bulldogs.
That prompted Fogarty to be released to Canberra ahead of the 2022 NRL season, his third departure from the Titans’ system, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Fogarty has now played 44 games for the Raiders, taking his NRL tally to 85, and can deliver another knockout blow to the wooden spoon favourites on Sunday night.
Stuart said Fogarty had become a favourite in the Canberra dressing room because of his commitment to the club.
“From a football point of view, he really cares about his game and the team,” Stuart said.
“He wants to do everything he can for the team.
“He is very well liked.”
THE 20 NRL PLAYERS YOUR CLUB SHOULDN’T HAVE LET GO
Adam Reynolds – Rabbitohs to Broncos
The South Sydney skipper was only offered a one-year contract extension in 2021, paving the way for the Broncos to pounce with a three-year deal. Reynolds took the Broncos to last year’s grand final while the Rabbitohs have imploded.
Jamal Fogarty – Titans to Raiders
Released in 2021 to make way for Toby Sexton to be the Titans’ halfback. Sexton is now playing reserve grade at Canterbury and Tanah Boyd is struggling for the Titans.
Tom Dearden – Broncos to Cowboys
Was thrown to the wolves during Brisbane’s 2020 wooden spoon season and eventually released to North Queensland, where he has become one of the NRL’s top five-eighths and a Maroons Origin player. The Broncos will be wishing they still had Dearden when Reynolds retires next year.
James Tedesco – Tigers to Roosters
Played 90 games for Wests before being poached by the Roosters in 2018, going on to become captain of the Kangaroos and NSW Origin team.
Jahrome Hughes – Titans to Cowboys to Storm
Wasn’t rated by the Titans after making his NRL debut in 2013 and had to resurrect his career at the Cowboys before being picked up by Melbourne, where he has become one of the NRL’s top halfbacks, a Kiwis Test star and won a premiership.
Mitchell Moses – Tigers to Eels
One of many quality players to leave the Tigers, who haven’t found a gun halfback since.
Reece Robson – Dragons to Cowboys
Tough-as-nails hooker is one of the few NSW State of Origin players in North Queensland’s history.
Ryan Papenhuyzen – Tigers to Storm
Was stuck behind James Tedesco in the fullback pecking order at Wests so moved to Melbourne, and then the Tigers lost Teddy anyway.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Cowboys to Dolphins
Was released to join the Dolphins in their foundation year and scored eight tries in the opening six rounds last season. In North Queensland’s defence, Scott Drinkwater has done the job at fullback.
Payne Haas – Titans to Warriors to Broncos
The photos of Haas in junior Titans kit will give Gold Coast fans nightmares for years.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – Storm to Titans
The Storm didn’t want to compete with a huge offer at the time for the untested Tino, but he proved to be worth it and Melbourne attempted to get him back as part of a player swap for Brandon Smith.
Brandon Smith – Cowboys to Storm (now at Roosters)
Came through North Queensland’s system but was a troublemaker and found himself a deal at Melbourne, where he rose to NRL stardom before joining the Roosters.
Reece Walsh – Broncos to Warriors to Broncos
The Broncos dodged a bullet after originally losing Walsh to the Warriors, who then released him back to Brisbane on compassionate grounds.
Kalyn Ponga – Cowboys to Knights
Cowboys couldn’t compete with a huge money bid from Newcastle which has seen Ponga go on to become a Dally M Medal winner.
Isaiya Katoa – Panthers to Dolphins
Left Penrith because he was stuck behind Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, who is now leaving to join the Tigers. You can’t keep them all.
Viliame Kikau – Cowboys to Panthers (now at Bulldogs)
The Cowboys took a punt on bringing Kikau out from Fiji and he was on the verge of the NRL before being poached by the Panthers.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – Sea Eagles to Roosters
Came through Manly’s development system and made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles but only played six games before joining the Roosters and becoming a 300-gamer.
Reed Mahoney – Eels to Bulldogs
Played a key role in Parramatta’s 2022 NRL grand final surge before joining the Dogs and the Eels have struggled since.
Kurt Capewell – Broncos to Warriors
A back row injury crisis has proven why the Broncos shouldn’t have let Capewell go this year.
Luke Keary – Titans to Rabbitohs to Roosters
Was in Gold Coast’s backyard but wasn’t rated by the Titans. Ended up going on to become a multiple premiership-winner with the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: How Titans lost Payne Haas, Jamal Fogarty, Jahrome Hughes | 20 recruitment blunders
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