Jamal Fogarty is set to return for Manly against the Wests Tigers on Saturday in Magic Round after missing time with a groin injury, giving coach Kieran Foran another option as the Sea Eagles push for the NRL finals. The 32-year-old halfback was tipped to come back for Manly's 32-4 win over Brisbane last Saturday, but the club gave him an extra week off instead.
Foran said the extra week did Fogarty a world of good, and he also made clear Joey Walsh would remain part of the mix despite being moved back to the bench. Walsh, 19, has shown glimpses of his potential across Manly's past two games, enough for Foran to keep him in the conversation even after initially sending him to the NSW Cup when he took over from Anthony Seibold.
That leaves Manly with a selection call that reflects both timing and trust. Fogarty's return sharpens the side for the run home, but it also squeezes a young player who has only just started to show what he can do at first-grade level. Foran did not hide the balance he is trying to strike. “Everyone's seen just what this guy is capable of, and we've made no secret about how excited we are about Joey's future,” he said. “We're just going to keep building on what he's done for us. He's going to play an integral part in our season this year and for many more years to come.”
Manly's spine will not be the only area under change. Jake Simpkin comes into the starting side at hooker for Brandon Wakeham, who is suspended, while Kobe Hetherington and Zach Dockar-Clay are the new names on the bench. The reshuffle gives Foran more flexibility for a match that arrives in the middle of Magic Round, with every point carrying added value for a team still trying to cement a finals place.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have been forced into their own changes. Lock Alex Twal was ruled out on Friday with a knee injury and is expected back after the club's round 12 bye. Latu Fainu moves to hooker with Api Koroisau still suspended, and Terrell May returns after the birth of his child. It leaves Wests dealing with several absences at once while facing a Manly side that is getting closer to full strength at exactly the right time.
The broader conversation around the fixture stretches beyond Saturday. Blues coach Laurie Daley is due to name his State of Origin side after Magic Round, and Payne Haas is set to miss the May 27 opener because of a knee injury. That has made every strong performance this weekend more valuable for players in the frame, including May, who drew a direct endorsement from Benji Marshall. “Nothing surprises me anymore. I thought he (May) should have made it last year,” Foran said. Marshall added: “But again the footy does the talking, so he's got a good opportunity to go and put his case forward again. But I think he's been great for us.”
For Manly, though, the immediate story is simpler than the noise around Origin. Fogarty is back, Walsh is still there, and the rest of the season now looks like a contest over who can hold their place when the pressure rises.
