Kieran Foran is poised to finally sign on with Parramatta on a lucrative four-year NRL deal, ensuring the future of coach Brad Arthur.
The two parties have agreed to terms, with Foran expected on Friday to officially ink a contract worth $1.2 million a year.
The New Zealand playmaker almost slipped through the Eels’ net after the club attempted to renegotiate his deal which was originally signed off on in March.
The two parties agreed to remove a controversial $1 million get-out clause, however the deal would allow Foran to walk away should Arthur be sacked.
Arthur’s future now looks on solid ground, with the Seven Network on Thursday reporting he had signed a two-year contract extension which would keep him at the club until the end of 2019.
Foran signed with the Eels in March but the deal was put in jeopardy after the Eels discovered the get-out clause which included a massive payout.
The original deal was negotiated by now-departed chief executive Scott Seward.
The Eels’ back-tracking disturbed Foran and he considered walking away.
However, a reluctance to go back on his word and his relationship with Arthur were enough to get the agreement over the line.
Foran is close to the coach and playing under him had been a big drawcard for him to join the western Sydney club.
The deal is guaranteed for two years with an option for another two in the playmaker’s favour.
Foran’s current Manly teammate Matt Ballin said the get-out clause was a big show of faith in Arthur.
Ballin said it was impossible to replace Foran and hoped Manly used the money freed up by his departure to re-sign fullback Brett Stewart.
“Brett Stewart has been a great player for us for years and one of our best players,” Ballin said.
“He’s been so loyal to the club. I think the club should re-sign him for as long as we can and keep him in our team.
“He’s been a prolific try-scorer, a great talker at the back, defensively and in offence, he’s the reason why our club has been so successful for a lot of years along with a lot of other players.”
After it emerged Foran was considering going back on the deal, his current club Manly as well as Canterbury and the Sydney Roosters made a play for his services.
Foran’s signature is a boon for the club which has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent months.
Parramatta have endured a turbulent time following the departure of Seward and fined $525,000 for salary cap breaches.
Seward resigned last month citing personal reasons.
In May, the club were hit with a NRL breach notice for exceeding all four salary caps last season and threatened with the loss of four competition points next year unless they undertook an independent governance review.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Renegade My my , dont they speedily change their minds in Brookvale when they know one of their best is gone. I seem to recall when it was announce that Flipper was going to the Titans (and before it was amnounced that Foran was going to Parra) there were many comments along the lines of "Foz is the better player" of the two.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
For those having difficulty understanding the the delicate nature of contract negotiations , simply click on the link to veiw an easy to follow contract negotiation video guide http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Sy6oiJbEk :-)
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Actually I have more in common with Oscar The Grouch ;-)
Tom G
Guest
I see what you did there.. you're a regular Oscar Wilde
Tom G
Guest
Oh please.. Loyalty?? In NRL? It is a business and should be run like one. To that point just how many games have Souths had out of Glenn this year.? Sadly that's a few more than Manly go out of him last year. Watmough's best years are well behind him as he is proving this year and you guys go sign him for four seasons?? Smart business that .. just picture his form in 2017. Foran is a great player who we will no doubt miss and if he were signing with the Roosters, Souths or the Broncos I would get it totally ... but Parramatta and Arthur?? Insanity!
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
No one do you even understand contract negotiations ? The player's manager attempts to get the best deal possible for his client and Seward negotiated that particular clause without the knowledge of the club , hence no more Seward at Parra. Or do you suggest that Foran should have done the "honourable" thing and continually assured Parra that he was indeed going with them , right up to the point that it would be too late for Parra to aquire the services of a world class 1/2 , much like the failed Kangaroos & QLD S.O.O. player fom Manly did ?
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Tom would you like some cheese and crackers to go with that whine ?
pjm
Roar Rookie
He's a true knight.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Foran is so honourable he had a clause that meant he could break his contract at anytime and get paid for doing so
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Typical Manly fans...
Renegade
Roar Guru
So Foran's a park footballer again....? He was Manly's MVP when news came out he was about to renege...
fazed
Guest
While I agree, what needs to be considered is that at the time the Club did have discusssions with the NRL about cap exceptions to sign Hayne should he miss out on the NFL. If he came back & wanted to return to Parra, he would have to go on a full Marqee player contract with serious 3rd party top ups for it to happen. There is strong reports of his likely going to Easts but the same would have to happen, there are many considerations for him to decide on, & that includes the situation at Parra. If the reports are correct Arthur is looking to youngster Bevan French as the long term option for fullback. Signing Michael Gordon for next year also has him assisting French as a fullback at least in the clubs press release. If Hayne was able to come back to Parra, his role would be certainly changed & the team would not be as realiant on him, but maybe the club is better long term without him & that reliance as a distraction of them all putting in, although doubt that would happen when Foran joins the club, & the whole 17 will work with/for each other rather than waiting on one person to do something.
jamesb
Guest
This may also mean that Hayne is unlikely to return to Parramatta. Parramatta would struggle to fit in Foran and Hayne in the cap
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Seriously though, he was always going to stay. No other club could offer him the money he was offered at Parra.
fazed
Guest
The halfs are the key & as shown when Sandow & Norman showed together, note together - Sadly Chris even when given a free reign was too limiting, with Foran linking with Norman I see the club having their pivot positions set up for some time to come. As for the forwards, Lussick was signed to provide that go forward unfortunately he has shown to have learnt nothing in regard to his hot headed stupidity, I hope being back at Manly he can show controlled aggression that he did not develop at Parra. I see they have one key forward to lock up, & do it very very soon & that is Pauli Pauli, given a pack that has Mannah, Peats, Junior, Moeroa, Ma'u Watmough the run on with Pauli, Wicks, Gower, along with a couple of others vying for the side, its a fair pack indeed.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think the best thing to come from the Foran signing is that his get out clause revolves around Brad Arthur staying. This will provide stability to the club. There is no way that Arthur will be punted when it means they will lose their star 6. Having a coach safe and free to build a culture over a period of time, without fear of being knifed by a board that makes Manly's appear only partially insane, will be great for the club. Having a permanent coach will be good for the existing players, who can buy into everything being said knowing it is a long term plan, and will be good in attracting other players.
Parrafan
Guest
That was a great signing. I doubt the like of Hindmarsh or Cayless would have been half as successfull without the 4 dogs. I think there is one big bopper in Jnr Paulo to assist Mannah. Perhaps Pauli will shift to the front row. He's only 6 foot and over 120kgs at 20 years of age.
Parrafan
Guest
Agree with all your points Eagle. Parra do need to implement a winning culture and I believe are doing so with some hick ups. Did any punter really think Parra would be anywhere but wooden spoon this year after losing Hayne, a player the club was built around, very late last season. Manly are rediscovering that culture as well, signing Matai, Lyon and it looks like B Stewart as well. With some of the forward signings I expect you guys back in the 8 next year.
jamesb
Guest
That's good news for Parra and the NRL. We do need a strong Parramatta. The NRL needs a strong Parramatta.
Mals
Guest
Get on with playing good footy for Manly Foran. Since Gifty signed with Souths you've had a sour look on your face like you've been sucking on lemons and playing like a park footballer. Time to earn your pay packet & get Manly off the bottom of the table.