Manly set to swoop on Raiders' gun halfback

The Manly Sea Eagles are reportedly set to offer Jamal Fogarty a two-year deal worth around $500,000 a year as the Raiders' deadline to activate their halfback's club option approaches.

Canberra has until the end of this round to activate a club option that would keep Fogarty, 32, at the club for an additional 12 months.

However, the club is unlikely to do so if Fogarty can receive a multi-year deal elsewhere; a deal the Sea Eagles seem prepared to offer.

The Sea Eagles view Fogarty as an ideal replacement for departing captain Daly Cherry-Evans, as the seven can provide an experienced head to lead the side and mentor developing halves Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large, who the club view as their long-term pairing.

The Raiders' have their own halves succession plan in place, with the highly touted Ethan Sanders positioned as Fogarty's replacement.

SEN 1170 Drive host Bryan Fletcher thinks the Raiders are comfortable losing Fogarty due to Sanders' presence in the squad.

"By all reports Ethan Sanders is going to be a terrific half," Fletcher said.

"Unless they're going to put their faith in the Ethan's, the Sanders and Strange variety, (Fogarty'll) be 32... maybe the Raiders think we've got these kids on here.

"Whether or not he can handle the week in week out, they're going to try going that way."

Fletcher also questioned whether the Sea Eagles could win a premiership with Fogarty.

"I reckon you could (win a premiership) but you need (Trbojevic) to be constantly fit," Fletcher said.

"He is 32 at the end of the year... in the right system (he can win)."