‘I’m not as talented as Daly’: Jamal Fogarty will be his own man as he prepares to lead Manly’s attack
Jamal Fogarty has made a frank admission about what it will be like trying to replace Daly Cherry-Evans as a new era begins at the Sea Eagles.
There will be a sense of ‘coming in after Bradman’ for Jamal Fogarty next season, but the Sea Eagles halfback has declared he won’t try to copy Daly Cherry-Evans as a new era begins on the northern beaches.
Cherry-Evans spent 15 seasons at Manly and wore the No.7 jersey 352 times before he made the shock call to explore his options earlier this year, with the veteran playmaker eventually signing a deal with the Roosters.
The 2011 premiership winner was an institution at the club, with Fogarty now tasked with leading the side’s attack after the 31-year-old inked a three-year deal to leave Canberra for an opportunity in Sydney.
Trent Hodkinson was the last man to get a proper go at halfback before Cherry-Evans arrived and made the team his own.
But he’s gone now and Fogarty has the chance to lead a new era under rookie skipper Tom Trbojevic as the Sea Eagles look to return to the finals in 2026.
“He’s probably the greatest half to play for the club and put that jersey on,” Fogarty replied when asked what it will be like to replace someone so iconic.
“That’s something I’ve got to respect and acknowledge, but also I’m not as talented as Daly, and I’m going to be Jamal. I’m not going to try and be him.
“No matter where I’ve been, I’ve always thought I’m going to be myself. I’m not going to try and be anyone else because my style of footy, I probably enjoy the most.
“I think it’s about acknowledging the greatness that he had here, but then also now I get to play my style and everyone’s going to compare me to him and obviously he’s in a new club and whatever else, but I’m just going to be myself.”
Landing at Manly was a logical fit for Fogarty who is looking forward to improving parts of their attack, while he’s also keen for them to help him build on certain areas of his game.
Fogarty is coming off his best attacking season in the NRL after he helped the Raiders to the minor premiership with a career-high 31 try assists, which was almost double his previous best, before they were bundled out of the finals in straight sets.
The Sea Eagles have a unique way of attacking from anywhere on the field, and the experienced playmaker says he’s got to adapt to their style, while his teammates will have to get used to his traits.
“I think it’s got to be both ways, to be fair,” he said.
“Obviously, I’ve got to adjust my playing style to the team because there were a couple of games last year that they played in their style, where you were like, oh, jeez, they’re a good team.
“And then obviously I’ve got to still be able to be myself to feel confident to play my style. That’s obviously something we need to tinker with throughout the pre-season and nut a couple of things out. But I’d like to think that my style will suit the team.
“I’m a little bit controlled and calculated with how I do things and if I can do my job really well, then it allows the guys out wide to play that free style of footy.”
Fogarty is keen to work with some of the club’s emerging playmakers like Joey Walsh, with the former Raider also eyeing off a reunion with his old side in round one when Canberra visits Brookvale.
“It was bound to happen, right?” he said.
“I’m surprised we’re not playing the Roosters, but I think they are a couple of weeks after. So it was always going to happen, but I think the best thing for me is just get it out of the way early in the year and then we can just get on with it.”
