Most of the modern era’s greatest No.7s have left a generational void in their wake upon switching clubs or retiring from rugby league.
Between Peter Sterling and Mitchell Moses, Parramatta tallied up more than 30 halfbacks in 26 years. In Canberra, Ricky Stuart cast a shadow for years over the nation’s capital, ditto Andrew Johns in Newcastle. Allan Langer set the bar impossibly high in Brisbane. Of course, Melbourne are the exception to the rule, transforming Jahrome Hughes into Cooper Cronk’s successor for a title within three years of the latter’s exit.
How do you replace a champion halfback?Credit: Getty, NRL Imagery
Daly Cherry-Evans is Manly’s longest-serving player, their last premiership-winning No.7, and is the Roosters’ marquee signing for the 2026 NRL season.
In Cherry-Evans’ place at Manly, stepping out in maroon and white for the first time against South Sydney in Mudgee on Sunday, is 32-year-old late-bloomer Jamal Fogarty.
“So I’ve got to be clear, we didn’t really approach it as replacing ‘Chez’, because as halfbacks, they’re just such different players,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said.
“I hate comparing players and Chez played the most ever games for our club. But Jamal brings a different skill set as a playmaker.
The spectre of Daly Cherry-Evans still looms large at Manly.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s been a leader at the Raiders and at the Titans and we deliberately went after Jamal with an eye to what we need at the club over the next couple of seasons.”
Fogarty himself acknowledged “I’m not as talented as Daly” at the start of Manly’s pre-season, while Seibold sees similarities between Cherry-Evans and the freewheeling approach of his new halves partner Sam Walker at the Roosters.
After guiding Canberra to the minor premiership with a career-best year, Fogarty’s experience and game management could well serve him better than most filling the hole left by a champion No.7.
The Sea Eagles have been one of the game’s most entertaining and enterprising sides during Seibold’s three seasons in charge, but have reached the finals once in that period.
Jamal Fogarty plays his first game for Manly in Sunday’s trial against South Sydney.Credit: Joel Seeto/Sea Eagles Digital
Seibold remains bullish on Manly’s fortunes, pointing to a 12-12 record last season – “in a lot of years that can have you playing finals” – despite the Cherry-Evans contract drama and a crippling injury toll exposing their forward depth putting his own future in the spotlight.
New skipper Tom Trbojevic and his brother Jake will both sit out Sunday’s trial against Souths but are good to go for round one against Fogarty’s old Raiders side.
And as the post-Cherry-Evans era begins, it’s all eyes on the first fresh face at Manly’s scrum base in 15 years.
“Looking at the market once Chez made his decision, we were deliberate in terms of what we needed,” Seibold says.
“We needed a good organising half. We needed a really good kicking game. Those are Jamal’s two biggest strengths, along with just how professional and committed he is. Our attack will evolve, that’s only natural.
“We need to be an adaptable team. Last year, we beat five of the top seven teams, which is as good a record as anybody. But we need to build more consistency into our game and I feel like Jamal’s skill set helps bring a bit more structure to our game.
“There will be subtle changes, but we’ve still got the same weapons, we’ve still got speed out wide with guys like [Jason] Saab and Tolu Koula, and we still need to make sure we unlock them.”
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