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Fogarty is one of the NRL’s great success stories. A talented playmaker as a junior, Fogarty has taken the long road to becoming an established NRL player. He is in his third stint at the Titans after coming through the club’s under-20s system before heading to Parramatta, where he did not play an NRL game, and then returning to Queensland to ply his trade in the Intrust Super Cup.

Fogarty made his NRL debut for the Titans in 2017, but only played two games and didn’t feature again in the top grade until 2020. He worked with at-risk juveniles in his role as a youth worker before securing a full-time NRL contract with the Titans last year.

At 27, he is mature and wants to make a difference with his stature in the community.

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I am Indigenous because my mum Michelle is Aboriginal and from the Mununjali area in Beaudesert, as am I.

I embraced my Aboriginality when I was a little fella, it was a massive part of our day-to-day life and who we were. We used to do things with the whole family, we had a lot of celebrations and did a lot of Aboriginal dancing as kids. We were heavily involved in NAIDOC Week or if guys wanted us to perform at events. We practised our performing a lot – that was our way of growing up and a big part of our lifestyle.

I lost touch with my heritage a little when I started to get a bit older, around high school, it dropped off in the whole town and we weren’t performing and dancing as much as when we were little. I moved to the Gold Coast and was lucky enough to live with an Indigenous family which gave me another connection. We always have a connection to our culture even though we’ve adapted to our lifestyle. In the last couple of years I’ve tried to reconnect and get the culture back into my life as much as possible.

In my youth work I was involved with kids that were in and out of watch houses and detention centres. A few of them were Indigenous kids. I wanted to help them have a connection with someone outside of their family and the system. We could have good conversations about where they want to be and what they want to do outside of a life of crime. I’ve been working with Indigenous kids in the youth space to guide them and be a mentor.

My heritage and culture is everything about who I am, my identity and my family’s identity. It’s in our DNA. We are very proud to be Indigenous people from Beaudesert. I want to be the best role model I can be for the next generation of Indigenous kids, whether they’re coming through football, school or employment. I want to be a good mentor for them and to show them there is a path for Indigenous people, even though the numbers say differently. If we make the right choices and put our minds to it, we can be anything we want to be.

I experienced some racism as little kids but we didn’t really understand it at the time. Even to this day, we see guys like Latrell Mitchell being racially abused on social media. The only way to eliminate that is to call them out and stand strong in numbers and educate people around it and how it makes us feel.

My heroes early on were my uncles, then I started watching rugby league on TV and Preston Campbell became my hero. He was only a small fella but what he did in the game and now in the community is inspirational. I’m lucky I get to connect with Presto through our club. He was one of my idols growing up. Even when I speak to him now I feel like a five-year-old. I’m still shy around him. I still think ‘wow, I’m chatting to Presto’. He is still one of my idols. I want to be what he is like off the field as well.

We could improve Indigenous support networks in the NRL. The Penrith Panthers have an Indigenous liaison officer, Glen Liddiard, to help make their Indigenous connections. He plays a massive part in those kids’ lives. When we move away from our home and community we lose that family connection. For guys to be able to move away and have a genuine Indigenous connection that understands who we are and what we are about is great. We have Jen Cross and Pete Smith who do a great job in their welfare roles at the Titans, but if we had someone like Presto on board for the Indigenous guys to have a connection with, even to just have a chat about football or home life, it would be an easy connection. We understand who we are and what we’re about. If there’s any way the game can improve, it’s to have an identified role or Indigenous mentor around clubs.

I’d like to work in that space later on. If there was an identified role that is definitely something I’d look into. In the youth justice space that was a role I played for a while. To do that in the rugby league world, and guide our young talent coming through, would be great. On the Gold Coast we get so many young Indigenous guys coming through our junior ranks from northern NSW and up to Beaudesert. That would be the ultimate job for me.

I always followed Cody Walker’s story because my past was very similar. We both plied our trades in the Intrust Super Cup. He got his opportunity in the NRL and has run with it with both hands. He is a leader in our game for us Indigenous people. He has represented South Sydney, the Indigenous All Stars and NSW in the best way he can. Hopefully I can follow in the footsteps of Cody and stay in the NRL. I’ve also been inspired by a young fella at our club in Jayden Campbell, Preston’s son. I sit back at training and watch how good a talent he is. He is the most relaxed, skilful player at our club. Some of the stuff he does is effortless – he could do it with his eyes closed. I have to really concentrate and be calculated to do things, but he is so freestyle and off-the-cuff. He is younger than me and hasn’t played NRL but I look up to him. He is an unreal talent.

I showed a lot of resilience to get back into from the last game I played in 2017 to Round 3 last year. That was a moment I will cherish forever. I had a couple of tough times and lean years there. To fight my way back and come back to my junior club and play NRL again was awesome. My Indigenous All Stars debut last year was massive too. I went to the All Stars game in 2020 and a mate of mine said ‘you’ll be playing this game next year’. I laughed because I didn’t even have a contract. To spend a week in camp with guys like Matty Bowen, Justin Hodges, Ken Nagas, Laurie Daley, Johnathan Thurston and those guys was incredible. That was a week I will never forget. Indigenous Round last year was also a great experience.

Being a leader at the Titans doesn’t change what I do at training. As a half I have always pulled the guys in before a drill and spoken about what we have to do. It hasn’t changed how I play or see myself around the place. It’s given me a bit more responsibility to make sure I’m doing the right things and some other stuff outside of the footy field and training paddock.

I hope I can stay in the NRL for a while yet. I wouldn’t say I’m settled, but I’m a lot more confident within myself. I always want to keep improving because if I don’t, there’s guys in the squad that will take my jersey and I’ll be back in the Intrust Super Cup really quickly. I’m a lot more comfortable than what I was this time last year.

Q&A: Staggs opens up on being a role model

Kotoni Staggs has made a huge impression in a short space of time in the NRL with the Broncos.

Currently nearing the end of a long convalescing period after a serious knee injury, the proud Wiradjuri man opens up on what his heritage and culture means to him.

What Indigenous nations are you connected with?

I am connected to the Wiradjuri nation from my mum’s side of the family on the central coast of NSW and our totem is the goanna. I come from Wellington in western NSW.

What does your heritage and culture mean to you?

It means a lot to me. I am a proud Aboriginal man. I am a big believer in my culture, I am half-Aboriginal, half-Tongan and I’m just starting to get to know a bit about my Tongan heritage. I’m proud of who I am and I don’t want to change who I am. I grew up around my Indigenous side of the family and I went to school with a lot of Indigenous friends and cousins, so I know that side a lot more than my Tongan side. I’m a big believer in culture and especially my Indigenous background and things like the Indigenous Round and our Indigenous jersey take on special meaning to all Aboriginal people.

The best advice I was ever given?

Chase your dreams and never let someone tell you can’t do something.

If I wasn’t I sport, I would be?

A builder. I have been doing my carpentry apprenticeship to give me a career for life after football.

When people see me I hope they think?

I’m a nice, genuine, caring person who likes to look after others and put other people first.

Family means?

Everything to myself. I have a big family and they support me with everything I have been through, so they are my No.1. I come from a small Indigenous community in Wellington, so when I play, I feel I’m not just representing myself, I’m representing my family as well.

My weird sporting superstition is?

Every game, as I put my boots on, I put on my left shoe first and tie that one up before I put my right boot on.

My sporting hero is?

Darren Lockyer. He was just a natural footballer who wasn’t the biggest bloke, but he was so competitive. I’ve tried to get that competitive streak from the way ‘Locky’ played.

What’s it like being an Indigenous athlete today?

It’s something I never thought would happen in my life. It makes me proud of who I am, what I’ve achieved so far and the legacy I want to leave to my Indigenous people by playing NRL.

Who put you on your pathway?

My uncle was a huge influence for me growing up. He would always be the one encouraging me to go outside and play football with him.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration would be my nan and my mum. To get me where I am today, they were the ones who made the sacrifices to get me to this position today at the Broncos. I am always thankful for what they have done.

What is the key priority to improve players and leadership opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous athletes?

Everyone can be a leader and speaking is what can make you a leader. It’s important not to run away from stuff. As a young kid, I would hide away, I had questions I wanted to ask but I was too scared to use my voice. The older I have gotten, the more confident I have been to use my voice and I have found my voice can be quite strong and a lot of people who know me now would agree with that. I am believing in myself a lot more now and I like being a role model to kids and my family.

At some stage in the next year, Hockley and his staff must make key decisions on the future of Australia coach Justin Langer, captain Tim Paine’s yet-to-be-identified successor and a possible extended term for CA chairman Earl Eddings.

There is also an ongoing dispute with broadcaster Channel 7, who have taken legal action in an attempt to withdraw from the last three years of their contract.

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Hockley was named the new permanent chief executive after having held the role in an interim capacity for almost a year.

He was rushed into the job last June following the axing of Kevin Roberts amid the fallout to CA’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is not lost on me the magnitude and the privilege of this role,’’ Hockley said.

“If the last 12 months have taught me anything, it is what is possible when the game comes together in a united fashion.’’

The job became Hockley’s to lose after he won wide acclaim for delivering a full professional schedule for Australia last summer despite huge Covid-induced challenges surrounding a four-Test series against India, the Sheffield Shield and two Big Bash leagues.

While the Covid cloud could threaten again next summer, a key priority will be sorting out a series of key leadership roles.

Eddings is likely to seek a second term as chairman later this year although the move has divided support among the states.

Langer is contracted until the end of next summer but player feedback in an internal review has criticised his intensity.

Paine will captain Australia through next summer’s Ashes but a decision on whether Pat Cummins of Steve Smith will follow him into the role hasn’t been made.

“Nick was named interim CEO at an incredibly challenging period for Australian sport, and society in general, and there were many instances where the once-in-a-generation obstacles in his path must have seemed overwhelming,’’ Eddings said of Hockley.

“But through his leadership, resolve, worth ethic and vision for the game, Australian cricket emerged stronger than ever. For that, Nick deserves enormous credit.”

Birmingham-raised Hockley previously held senior roles with the organising committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup held in Australia in 2015 and London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

He is a chartered accountant by profession who studied at Oxford University.

“Leading Cricket Australia is the greatest privilege of my working life and I am committed to doing all I can to making a positive contribution to the game and the community.’’

Speaking to the Fox Sports panel ahead of the game, Robinson believes that his players have simply been coasting along too much this season and as a result, are likely to miss out on finals football.

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“The mentality here has to be that you’re fighting for your life,” Robinson said.

“There’s a little bit of comfort factor here and I don’t like it.

“I need to eradicate it next year and I will.”

With a spot in the finals all but out of reach, Robinson is using the clash against the Roar as a chance for his troops to arrest a three-game losing streak at the minimum.

“I’ve put them under a little bit of pressure today, it’s in our hands,” said Robinson.

However, the Welshman tore into his players when pressed on how he would rally his side for the game.

“Probably going to have to come from me, unfortunately, because I am the manager,” he said.

“I’m probably the loudest one in that locker room.

“That’s an area I need to address next year as well. I need to bring in some leaders.

“We’re a good team but we haven’t got the leadership qualities.

“You have to have an argument in the locker room sometimes, let’s be honest, and that doesn’t happen.”

The club had backed Robinson heavily this season, bringing in former Premier League stars Graham Dorrans and Jordon Mutch into the side as well as Socceroo Mitch Duke on loan, but results simply haven’t happened enough.

Mi Mi failed to hit the court in indigenous round last year but played 48 minutes in a thriller at Nissan Arena.

With scores tied at 64-64 when the final buzzer sounded, the match seemed destined for extra time but the umpires had called a penalty just before time, with Samason converting a two-point shot to hand the Vixens a 66-64 victory and their first win of the season.

The Vixens had not won a match through the opening four rounds of the season and while they had been improving, they were a totally different outfit with Samason on court.

The 23-year-old finished with 35 points from 27-of-29 shooting, including eight-of-10 from super shot range.

Samason was brought in after an injury to Vixens goalkeeper Emily Mannix and while she finished as the match MVP, as a training partner, there is no guarantee she will remain in the team for the future.

But she was thrilled to have helped the team to their first win.

“It’s my job to shoot and I like to be as accurate as possible, my philosophy is if I get them in I don’t have to do as much work in defence,” she told Channel 9 after the match.

But she said “nothing” was going through her mind as she lined up the winning shot.

“I like having a blank mind, I find if I over think I just get a bit nervous,” she said.

The Firebirds led 24-16 at the opening break and seemed set to cruise to an easy win but someone forgot to hand the visitors the script.

The Vixens went to halftime trailing by just two and after a level third term, kept their heads better than the home side to leave a packed Nissan Arena crowd flat.

The loss is hugely disappointing for the Firebirds, who have just one win after five rounds and can ill afford to drop another game if they are to make the finals.

Indigenous round done right

After failing to hit the court at all during indigenous round last year, Mi Mi played 48 minutes in the loss.

And just every aspect of indigenous celebration was planned and authentic, Mi Mi’s presence anything but tokenistic, with the midcourter among the Firebirds’ best, allowing them to play at an accelerated tempo that eventually told on the Vixens.

It’s been well documented that the Firebirds missed the mark in indigenous round last year – not just when Mi Mi did not take the but in initially failing to understand by how much they’d got things wrong.

But Saturday’s game showed just how much things have changed. Mi Mi not only led the team on court and played a significant role in the game but was involved extensively in planning the pre-game ceremonies from dances to a Welcome To Country that included Netball Queensland’s Diamond Spirit indigenous program members.

The proof in the pudding will be seeing an increase in the number of indigenous players in the league in years to come.

Samason’s deadly debut

Mannix’s injury allowed Melbourne to make a surprise move and bring in shooter Rahni Samason to start the match alongside Mwai Kumwenda.

The Vixens have struggled for consistency in the shooting circle after the retirement of veteran goalers Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip, with Kaylia Stanton struggling with her confidence and teen Ruby Barkmeyer still developing.

But Samason’s nerveless performance – she levelled the game in the third quarter before hitting the winning shot after the buzzer – was outstanding.

The 23-year-old has trained with the Vixens since 2018 but after doing an ACL, spending a year in recovery and missing last season due to COVID-19, she missed the Vixens’ main playing list when squads were reduced back to 10.

As a training partner, she is unlikely to play again when Mannix – a Diamonds squad member – returns from injury unless another member of the contracted squad is forced to miss a match.

MELBOURNE VIXENS 66 (Samason 35, Kumwenda 31)

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS (Aiken 43, Bueta 20, Dwan 1)