Sea Eagles v Raiders: Fogarty's new look; Sanders steps up
Manly halfback Jamal Fogarty is chasing an early victory over his former club as the playmaker looks to topple the Raiders on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old led Canberra to last year's minor premiership before joining the Sea Eagles to fill the daunting shoes left by Daly Cherry-Evans.
Fogarty's arrival heralds a new era on the Northern Beaches after Cherry-Evans wore the No.7 jumper for 15 years.
The halfback will need to shut down some familiar faces if he is to lead his new side to a Round 1 victory.
Canberra boast one of the best forward packs in the NRL and will look to roll through the middle behind Joe Tapine, Josh Papalii and Hudson Young.
Ethan Sanders will be tasked with replacing Fogarty and will form what the Raiders hope will be a long-term halves combination with Ethan Strange.
Canberra shocked plenty to soar to the minor premiership in 2025 before a disappointing finals exit in straight sets.
The expectations are considerably higher this season as they look to replicate last year's feats.
Manly are desperate to climb the ladder in 2026 after sliding out of the eight last season.
A host of troops are back on deck, with Jake Trbojevic, Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau'atu all returning after their 2025 campaigns ended early due to injury.
Team News
Sea Eagles: A huge boost for Manly with barnstorming back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu ready to rumble after a shoulder reconstruction while prop Taniela Paseka plays his first NRL game since Round 3 last year having recovered from a ruptured achilles. Tom Trbojevic will captain the side at fullback while brothers Ben and Jake line up in the back row. Former Raider Jamal Fogarty steers the ship alongside Luke Brooks with young gun Joey Walsh in the No.14. Broncos premiership winner Kobe Hetherington makes his club debut off the bench alongside Ethan Bullemor, Nathan Brown and Corey Waddell. Brandon Wakeham drops off the bench when the squad was finalised..
Raiders: Ethan Sanders takes over the halfback role in just his fifth NRL game and will partner Kangaroo tourist Ethan Strange at the scrumbase. Simi Sasagi has won a starting centre berth ahead of Matt Timoko, who has been battling a minor foot injury over the past three weeks and is set to play NSW Cup. Noah Martin comes into the back row for his seventh NRL game. Former Knight Jayden Brailey makes his club debut in the No.14 jersey as back-up to Tom Starling. Also part of the interchange for Ricky Stuart are Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota and Morgan Smithies while Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart round out the six-man bench.
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won their last three Round 1 games.
- The Raiders have won two of their past three games at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored nine tries in his last six games against the Raiders.
- Raiders centre Sebastian Kris has scored a try in his last three games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula is on a nine game try-scoring streak at 4 Pines Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
