Despite being one of the NRL's most experienced halfbacks, Jamal Fogarty is prepared to prove his worth in the Canberra halves from reserve grade - if that's what it takes.
The 31-year-old's place in the Raiders' No.7 jersey has been assured, injuries aside, since he journeyed south from the Gold Coast in 2022.
But with some of rugby league's most promising young halves in the form of Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders nipping at his heels, Fogarty is refusing to get complacent.
"Whoever can do the best job for the squad will get the nod and it doesn't matter if you do miss out on it, you've got to go back to NSW Cup, apply your best footy there to make sure there's pressure on that person playing NRL in that jersey," he told AAP.
Every spot is up for grabs, Fogarty reckons. And that's a good thing.
"That's what the club's been building to," he said.
"You know, they want good depth, they don't just want 18, 19, 20 good players. Now we've got depth up until player number 30.
"You see the good teams ... like the Panthers. Someone gets injured, they roll someone straight out, they get on with the job straight away."
Last season the Raiders' depth was tested when Fogarty spent large periods on the sidelines with a persistent biceps injury, leaving the inexperienced Strange and out-of-position youngster Kaeo Weekes to marshal the side's attack.
Coach Ricky Stuart has since doubled down on youth, bringing in 20-year-olds Sanders and Savelio Tamale, and providing more opportunities for players to work their way up through the development pathway, to replace an exodus of experience in recent seasons.
Sanders showed why he is the club's future in an influential performance as Canberra outgunned Penrith 22-16 in a trial game on Saturday.
Fogarty, who is off contract at the end of the year, says it's up to the club whether he remains there in 2026.
The Raiders have until round six to trigger a clause locking him into a one-year extension but have yet to activate it, instead deciding to wait and see how the first few weeks play out.
The Queenslander is undaunted at having to essentially play for his future.
"I know what I can bring to the team," Fogarty said.
"I'm a good communicator, got a good kicking game, I can steer the boys around.
"So if I go out and just do my role and not worry about what people are thinking about me in the headlines, as long as my coach and 16 other teammates are happy with me, I'll keep enjoying my footy."
