Why Fogarty backs Weekes and Strange to be 'superstars'
Nicholas Quinlan • August 31st, 2025 7:31 pm

Jamal Fogarty has reflected on the whirlwind season that the Canberra Raiders have had as they look to break their 31-year premiership drought.
It’s been an amazing year for the Raiders as they have been able to return to finals football after a year’s absence and have done so in style.
Alongside veterans Josh Papali'I, Joe Tapine, and Fogarty, Canberra has been aided by their young brigade developing at a fast pace to see them take the competition by storm.
The likes of Ethan Strange, Kaeo Weekes and Xavier Savage have all played an important role in helping the side win their first minor premiership since 1990 and will look to continue their winning ways throughout finals despite Savage’s absence due to injury.
Having lined up alongside Strange and Weekes in the Raiders’ spine, Fogarty has been impressed by the way they have played throughout the season.
“The new generation of kids that come out of school these days are so confident in their own abilities,” Fogarty said on SEN 1170 Crunch Time.
“They don’t shy away from things; they really go after it.
“The best thing about (Ethan) Strangey and Kaeo (Weekes) is that the less they think, the better and more dangerous they are.
“Us as a spine, especially with me and Tommy (Starling) if we can create a little bit of ruck speed to give our edges the time and space, then obviously you guys have seen what they can do, especially with Strangey.
“He’s just got that physical presence in defence, he’s physical; he goes after it.
“But he’s got the exact same mindset when he’s got the ball in hand. He wants to run over blokes; he wants to palm people off.
“And with Kaeo, he’s just got that raw speed and ability to find half a gap that turns into a full opportunity for us. It’s wonderful to see their growth.
“And both have only played for about…I think Strangey might be around 40 games, and Kae might be around 30. So, if they give those guys another 50 to 100 games in two or three years, then they are going to be superstars.”
Fogarty will be on the move in 2026 having signed a three-year deal with the Sea-Eagles to be the replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans.
Casting his mind back to when he signed the deal earlier in the year, Fogarty was nervous telling coach Ricky ‘Stick’ Stuart about leaving the club he had spent the last four seasons with.
But after a positive conversation with Stuart, the halfback made it a point to live in the moment during his last season with the Green Machine.
“I didn’t get much sleep that night. I was pretty nervous,” Fogarty said.
“But to be honest, he took it really well. And once I told Stick, I just said, ‘It’s all done, I’m here, I’m a Raider till the end of the year, and let’s just crack on with it. ’
“And every day when I go into training, it’s more about how I can enjoy myself and have fun with the lads.
“Doing that helps me stay in the moment and keeps me present, which has been really easy to be honest.
The Raiders have one more game before they finish the home-and-away season. That match is against the Dolphins next Sunday at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe.