The Canberra Raiders secured themselves an experienced first-grade halfback this offseason when they signed Jamal Fogarty from the Gold Coast Titans.

Fogarty has proven he can handle the pressure in attack situations and lead his team around the field which is something the Raiders have desperately needed since George Williams departed for Warrington last season.

Unfortunately for the green machine, Fogarty sustained a knee injury that will likely keep him out of action until around halfway through Canberra’s regular-season campaign, leaving a huge gap in the Raiders squad for a long period.

Rookie Brad Schneider has been named to start at halfback for Canberra as they take on the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks this Friday night at GIO Stadium.

The 21-year-old made his NRL debut for the club last season and will be looking to replace Fogarty for the duration of his injury; however, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio is reporting that the Wests Tigers are shopping around their promising young halfback Jock Madden and the Raiders have specifically been named as a potential suitor.

“One of the Wests Tigers rising talents could be on the move with award-winning half Jock Madden shopped to rival clubs, including the Canberra Raiders,” said Riccio.

 
“Madden, a former Australian Schoolboys halfback, was presented to the Raiders by his management last week as an immediate solution for the long-term injury to Jamal Fogarty.”

Luke Brooks’ future at the Tigers has been the focus of many for a while now so this report that Madden is the one that the power brokers at Concord are looking to move on has come as a shock.

Parting ways with Madden would all but confirm that the Tigers are going to keep Brooks amid speculation that Newcastle is interested in signing the former Dally M Halfback of the Year, which could see the Knights now shift their focus to Madden as an option to play in the halves alongside Jake Clifford or Adam Clune.

After playing just three first grade games last season Madden still has some work to do if he wants to hold down a spot in the NRL, but would be given plenty of chances if he were to join the Raiders or Knights at this point.