Footy, culture, family: The unbreakable bond between Raiders pair

Jamal Fogarty and Jack Wighton share a love for three main things in life - footy, culture and family - as the only Indigenous halves pairing in the NRL. 

They're also passionate about the future of Indigenous people in Australia, particularly the children with their respective partners - four girls and a boy all under the age of 10 between them. 

It's why when the pair had the chance to take part in a photoshoot organised by the NRL earlier this month for Indigenous Round, Fogarty knew it was an opportunistic time. 

"The best thing about that is in 20 or 30 years time when we’re not playing we get to both look back and hold onto for the rest of our lives," Fogarty told NRL.com. 

"I think the kids had more fun than we did getting painted up and going onto country. Our culture is about story-telling and making sure it doesn’t stop with us.

"We want to pass on as much knowledge as we can and hopefully my little ones can do that to their own family down the track and it continues on forever.

"Even just learning a couple of words back home. Every night before we go to bed we say 'goodnight love' in our language and that’s something I want to pass on.

"That’s the beauty of our culture, that it’s done by story-telling and doing things on country and making sure we’re enjoying it along the way.

They're our next generation and we want to make sure we set the best example we can.

Jamal Fogarty

Fogarty's upbringing in the rural Queensland town of Beaudesert included a rich history of connecting to the land. He'd go camping, swim in the rivers, throw boomerangs and perform during NAIDOC week and on Australia Day. 

The early exposure allowed him to grow as a leader in this space, where he has worked in youth systems and seen first-hand the impact that rugby league people can have on the community.

"Someone that pushed me in that direction was Preston Campbell," Fogarty said.

"He was a fantastic footballer but I think he’s even bigger in the community as an Indigenous leader and role model.

"I’m never going to be Preston Campbell in the community but I want to be somewhere along the lines there.

"I met him when I was coming through at the Titans and just the difference he makes in the communities by going out there and putting smiles on people’s faces and how humble he is.

"Sometimes he doesn’t get recognised for it but it makes such a big difference to our Indigenous people whether it’s spending time with him for a few minutes or hours in his programs.

"We think we have a tough life when we lose a game of football but there’s a lot of people out there that have a tough life every minute of the day.

"If I can go out and distract people for an hour or so of their day by having a chat that’s something I’m really passionate about."

Fogarty concedes he doesn't want to think about life without Wighton in the nation's capital beyond this season after the 30-year-old opted for a fresh start by joining South Sydney in 2024.

If anyone knows all about moving away from his comfort zone in a bid to chase his rugby league dreams, it's Fogarty, after his own departure from the Titans last season.

The Raiders halfback has had his halves partner's back from the minute the news of Wighton's move was made officially, defending his mate who was exposed to racist trolls online. 

"We're beautiful people and it's a great way to showcase our history," Fogarty said.

All we want is, if you don't know much, just get it a bit of education around it.

Jamal Fogarty

"We all supported Jacko’s decision whether he was going to stay or go. We always knew we’d have him for this year and if he did decide to leave it was OK because this is the year we want to do something.

"Him leaving is something I don’t like to think about a whole lot because obviously we’ve got a really good relationship away from footy with our families and little ones.

"I love playing with him. He’s someone that gives me a whole lot of confidence when we run onto the park no matter who we’re playing whether we’re attacking or in defence.

"More importantly he’s a really good person and that’s something I’ve grown in is being a better person for hanging around him. We will miss him but we’ve got this year to make the most of it."

The Raiders will host the Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon gunning for six straight wins for the first time since 2016. It's been a remarkable turnaround for Ricky Stuart's side after dropping four of their opening five games of the season.

"It’s a lot better during a week coming off wins," Fogarty said. "It was obviously tough at the start of the year but everyone is happier and more upbeat.

"We’re working harder in the smaller areas and that shows that we weren’t too far off early on even though we were down in the dumps.

"Manly are a team that’s very threatening and dangerous. They’re a well-organised side with DCE and when you’ve got Tommy at the back they’re always going to be a threat."