Why Manly Believe Jamal Fogarty Can Fix Their Biggest Issue
Manly expect jamal fogarty’s steady organising play to address the club’s persistent inconsistency after he replaced Daly Cherry-Evans at No. 7, with his second outing set for Sunday’s clash with Newcastle.
Jake Trbojevic Backs Fogarty To Bring Stability
Jake Trbojevic said the Sea Eagles have been working hard to fix lapses that have plagued the club and believes jamal fogarty can be a central part of that solution. “We’ve worked really hard on it, even though I know last weekend wasn’t a great example of that, ” Trbojevic said. “(Jamal) can really help us. He is a really consistent and stable player, does the same job every week. “
Trbojevic urged patience while Fogarty settles into a new team and style. “We’ve got to give him time. It’s a big change for him, coming from Canberra to a new team, we play completely different styles, ” he said.
How Fogarty’s Arrival Changes Manly’s No. 7 Role
Fogarty has taken over one of the most enduring No. 7 roles in club history, replacing a long-serving captain. His arrival represents the biggest alteration any club in the competition has experienced at halfback, breaking a 16-season run in the position that had been held by the previous No. 7 for the Sea Eagles.
That former halfback’s 352 matches as the club’s No. 7 were the most by any player at halfback at a single club, underscoring the scale of the transition Manly have made in their spine.
Teammates Report Minimal Tactical Disruption
Several teammates said Fogarty’s entry has not forced major changes to how they operate on the field. Right-edge second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu said the ball distribution to his position has not altered significantly and praised Fogarty’s communication. “It doesn’t really change the way I play, because I still tell them what I want, ” Olakau’atu said. “Jamma is more the into my face, just non-stop chatting to me, which is a good thing. Because I need it when I am lacking focus. Where Chez was more cruisy and getting me to stay calm. “
Five-eighth Luke Brooks also described only minor adjustments. “It’s still similar, they call the plays and I will organise my edge or whatever shape we want off the back of it, ” Brooks said. “Probably Jamma is a bit more dominant, where seeing Chez in the No. 6 it probably suits his game. “
Manly’s opening-round loss highlighted the club’s recent pattern: surrendering sizable leads in matches has been a recurring problem. That defeat was emblematic of a broader inconsistency across games and rounds, an issue club leaders say Fogarty’s organising approach is intended to address.
Fogarty will have his second match in the maroon and white when Manly face Newcastle on Sunday. The club has signalled it will allow time for the new halfback to embed his style as part of a targeted effort to halt the cycle of late-game collapses and uneven performances.
