Brad Arthur must surely be the only person among those whose opinion Kieran Foran seeks and respects that is telling the star player he should still go to Parramatta.
Surely anyone else Foran is asking is telling him he should run a hundred miles from the joint and then look behind to make sure the club isn’t still chasing him before he stops.
As far as rugby league farces goes, it’s a high-ranking one even in the sport that just keeps on giving – and the incredible thing is that it’s still dragging on.
There are obvious difficulties clubs would face in trying to make space under the salary cap for a big-budget player who unexpectedly becomes unavailable after they have done the vast majority of their bidding for the following season.
But the motivation to succeed in the NRL is so strong there is always something, somewhere, that can be done to make room when the prize is this good.
So the fact Foran still hasn’t announced a decision on his future must have more to do with his not wanting to let Eels coach Arthur down than anything else.
Foran is clearly a highly-principled individual who doesn’t want to appear as if he is reneging on a deal, but he
doesn’t owe Parramatta anything.
The club has stuffed him around in a display of mismanagement that has been extraordinary, even for a code that has produced some incredible examples of it in its long and fascinating history.
Even for a club that has produced some incredible examples of it on its own in recent years!
If Parramatta do manage to convince Foran to join them next season, they should thank their lucky stars.
If they don’t, they should admit they stuffed up beyond the degree that has traditionally been acceptable in rugby league and heads should roll at the club.
Heads should roll anyway, but either way they probably won’t. That’s another key element of the greatest game of all, the sheer determination – and ability – of people to survive in positions of power and influence, no matter what.
If and when the nuclear bomb finally drops, the two things that will crawl out from underneath the rubble are cockroaches and rugby league.
Speaking of cockroaches, the developments at Cronulla regarding NSW captain Paul Gallen mean that Foran isn’t the only player on the radar now when it comes to interesting contract deal machinations.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan comes out and says in a podcast that Gallen won’t be playing State of Origin again after this year and Sharks chief executive Lyall Gorman reacts by saying there is no such understanding and that Flanagan was talking about what he would prefer “in a perfect world”.
Then Gallen comes out and says: “They are his (Flanagan’s) wishes, they are probably the club’s wishes, but at the end of the day it’s my decision and it will be left up to me.
“It’s not part of my contract negotiations, it’s never been spoken about and to be honest it’s not a big issue for me. It’s not true.”
Gallen says he was “disappointed and upset” by Flanagan’s comments and that “if it’s going to be announced and it’s true, it should be announced by me”.
The cynic in me can’t help thinking that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I’ll believe only what happens in the wake of Origin III, whatever that may turn out to be. Particularly if the Blues win.
All of this is very interesting, as is the hand injury suffered by NSW hooker Robbie Farah playing for Wests Tigers against Penrith on Sunday.
Could he play in the series decider with a hand that may be broken, on top of a bung shoulder?
Queensland have already got their Origin injury story, with star halfback Cooper Cronk looking to make a triumphant return from a knee injury for that match.
It wouldn’t be fair if NSW didn’t have one as well.
peeeko
Guest
what game doesnt pump itself up with such lines "the beautiful game, the sport of kings, the game they play in heaven"
peeeko
Guest
agree, its a contract dispute, big deal
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Yes, but Jackson should have copped a lot more than a week so he is available for Origin and I can see Ennis being given the same leeway.
fazed
Guest
Until Foran makes his decision that is a poor comment considering where both clubs sit on the competition table at this point of time. While Parra has recruited some old players that have not shone out too much this year they do have a fair few young forwards coming through to lift the side into the future, include the 2 newbies for next year Gordon & Scott that can only add to the team. If Foran does decide to move to Parra, he will make a very good combination with Corey Norman, who has been in tremendous form this year & really feeds his outside men, I cannot see the club going backwards even if he doesn't sign on, but if he does then he working with Norman will be huge bonus for the club & point them to an exciting time ahead. Besides all of this, the only thing that I see in a difference between Parra & Manly ATM is that the media is all over Parra, over this contract issue, not too sure that things are much better at Manly with the Toovey - Club & Barrett talk either, especially as Tooves still is under contract.
Albo
Guest
Isn't Ennis facing suspension ??? We might not have a dummy half this time ? Best pencil in Korisau before QLD nab him as one of theirs !
Tom
Guest
I totally agree Max, I'm a Manly fan, and obviously disappointed he's leaving. However, I love him as a player and would prefer he go somewhere like the Dogs or Roosters where at least he can play to his potential. He is too good a player to be wasted at a basket case of a club like Parra.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Oh yeah the good old shoulder charge and biff,never hurt a soul we are led to believe. At this very moment Michael Greenfield is in the throws of legal proceedings against the code for injuries sustained (which ended his career),a result of a shoulder charge.A shoulder charge BTW that is not part of the rule book. Let's keep the legal fraternity busy LOL.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
The game needs to bring back the biff and the shoulder charge like the good old days in the 80s. That'll sort the Parramatta boardroom out. Right Johnno?
maximillian
Guest
I hope Foran signs with another club next year. Hes only 24 & he will be coming into his absolute best years in the next few seasons. Given his standing in the game, I don't think its that far fetched to say he could become the best player in the world in the next 2-5 years, but he wont realise that potential playing for a basket case club like the Eels.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Incompetence is not limited to our code Johnno.History in this country is littered with sporting debacles involving administrations and administrators.
Johnno
Guest
The greatest game of all myth
big J
Guest
I agree time to move on
fazed
Guest
Inside info?? I would not make a call untill its official. Hopefully he will make a decision sooner rather than later.
catcat
Roar Rookie
seems like more is happening off the field than on the field these days.......hopefully we are all talking about a cracker of a game at Belmore tomorrow!
Parrafan
Guest
Well put him on a stretcher and admit him now because Foran is in the blue and gold for the next 4 seasons. Arthur turned around a basket case side coming off the back of two wooden spoons, to come within one win of finals football last year. Considering this years and last years injury tally I think he is going well. I think we will find out what sort of coach he is next year with a world class number 6, ans a proper fullback.
Parrafanalia
Guest
Foran is an exceptional player and definitely a bonus for Parra if he ever comes but they did pretty well without Foran on Saturday so it wont be the end of the world if he changes his mind. Lets just forget about Foran and concentrate on what cards are dealt and get on with it.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I hope they pick Ennis as he's been outstanding with the Sharks and he would be a much better choice than Farah ever is or was. It's about time that Daley and the Blues selectors got some common sense into them and picked the inform players for the Blues.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I'm sure Brad Arthur is a good fella however I don't see any aura about him, some of the players hold him in huge regard. Foran would be mad to go to the Eels.
fazed
Guest
Jay C, true but here is another thread that brings board issues up, along with another one elsewhere that has coach problems as well as board issues, so the Parra situation is not an oasis.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Yes I believe there were a couple of really good, solid tackles; some great individual performances and a comeback or two.