As a Parramatta Eels fan, all I want right now is for my playmaker to be given respect and privacy as he takes a break from his football commitments.
On Thursday evening it was announced by the Eels that Kieran Foran had been granted indefinite leave from the club to deal with personal issues.
Met with much shock and surprise from the rugby league community, this meant that Parramatta were without their star recruit against the Bulldogs and will be without him for the foreseeable future.
Following the announcement, speculation only increased. Jackie O from The Kyle and Jackie O Show questioned the paternity of Kieran’s son and other media outlets suggested that Kieran had been “dropped” by the club.
Further details emerged on Friday with it being reported that Kieran had overdosed on prescription medication after grappling with a number of personal issues, including the breakdown of his relationship and the recent hospitalisation of one of his children due to illness.
I am hopeful that with these details now public, Kieran will be left alone and the speculation will stop, because Kieran’s welfare is the main priority.
This has largely been the response, which shows the high regard that Kieran is held in and is a credit to the rugby league community and the respect we have for one another.
This incident has served as yet another reminder that there are things in life more important than football.
As a fan, it is so easy to get caught up in the ‘winning is everything’ mantra.
Winning a premiership is so often seen as the only thing that matters and anything which detracts from being a competitive force on the field is often dismissed as irrelevant.
We have seen the ‘winning is everything’ approach taken countless times – where players are immediately forgiven for off-field indiscretions if they are extremely talented, or when people suggest that they don’t care what players do off the field, as long as they perform on it.
But an NRL team is about so much more than what happens on the field. We see the capacity that sport has to drive and influence change.
A club like Parramatta is a focal point in the local community and through its involvement in several initiatives and programs, the Eels consistently demonstrate that this is a power they take seriously.
As a club, the Eels are made up of people who love it and support it. At the centre of this group is a team of young men who take the field for us every week. These young men are humans, just like all of us, and just like all of us, they go through difficult times and need the support of their family and friends.
Unlike us however, these difficult times are often played out in the media for everyone to see.
This isn’t always easy.
But nor has being an Eels fan over the last couple of years been easy. Poor performances on the field, combined with incidents of mismanagement at a board level and several changes in coaching staff have seen Parramatta often in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
This year has brought new challenges, with allegations of salary cap breaches and a penalty from the NRL looming.
However, as a fan-base, it is now time to reflect on what is truly important – the welfare of one of our players.
Many are questioning what this will mean for the team on the field. The Eels currently sit in the top six and with Parramatta’s best defensive start to a season in 30 years, you cannot blame fans for being excited about the performances on the field.
But even if Kieran’s leave of absence means the Eels fall out of the top eight, I don’t mind. Ensuring he is given the space and time to ensure that he is okay off and on the field is my only concern. I want all players to be in good health and to understand that if they have a problem, the club and its supporters are there to back and support you.
Throughout his career, Kieran is a player that I have respected and admired. He been a positive role model for rugby league in all his dealings.
You only have to look back to last year, when there was controversy surrounding his signature on the contract bringing him to Parramatta. Among the supporter base there was tremendous anxiety that Kieran, due to the debacle, would not sign with Parramatta.
When he signed a revised contract, it demonstrated that Kieran was a man of his word who showed nothing but sincerity and integrity despite his private contract negotiations being played out very publically.
It’s now time for us as fans to behave sincerely and with integrity, and support Kieran as he goes through a difficult time.
I don’t know what this means for the Eels, but what I do know is that as a club we will work it out, together.
Most importantly though, if I could give Kieran a message, it would be that we as a rugby league community are behind you. Take care of yourself, we’re here for you, and we look forward to seeing you back, whenever you are ready.
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague
Kavvy
Guest
By mentioning it, even if it is to call out how vile it is, it gives it a greater audience. All the articles that mention what Jackie O said just increase the audience who hear it. With base/feral gossip shock jock commentary like hers it is always better to completely ignore it than give it any more oxygen
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Totally agree. Not in Sydney and don't read the gutter press, so this was the first I had heard of the lad's personal issues. Wish I didn't know now. None of my business. Great player and seems like a good lad. This article has spread his personal life further again.
DannyB
Guest
I agree with Darwin. I had not heard the Sydney radio rumour, but MaryK told me. It is totally hypocritical to publish vicious rumours and then call for his privacy to be respected. Journalists can't help but write on juicy rumours, but don't insult us by saying your reasons for doing so are honorable.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
What I'm trying to say is all you've done is rehash it ... you've not called it out at all ..
Officer59
Guest
Because you're bringing up things that don't need to be brought up. You say respect his privacy, well you're not respecting his privacy by bringing it up for everyone to read & therefore everyone having an opinion & replying to your article, which certainly is not respecting his privacy! By the way are you privy to what is going on & what has caused his breakdown?? I bet if it was a player from any other team your support would not be as passionate & I bet you wouldn't write an article such as this. In any case I sincerely hope he overcomes his demons & is better for it!
AGO74
Guest
I wish Kieran all the best. And it seems most people do as well - which I think is one of the best things of all in all of this. That being the acceptance of mental health and empathy towards Kieran who is having mental health related issues. Even 5 years ago I don't think you'd have had that broader level of acceptance of forans situation and would most likely have been met with a "suck it up princess" attitude.
Nigel Wilbow
Guest
Mary, that a great write up. You know i had little emotion watching the game last night and didn't care about the result I spent most of the night hoping Keiran Foran was getting the help he needs and also that hoping his team mates have been talking to each other and checking to make sure they are all ok as well. These things effect family, friends and work mates as well so I hope they are all there for each other and When Keiran is ready to come back they are there from him too.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Fazed, thank you for your kind words. It is much appreciated. I have never been more proud of the team than I was last night... such a tough, gritty performance and that's what I am choosing to focus on! Stay true! x
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
By writing an article in support of Kieran Foran, how am I invading his privacy?
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Well said!
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Well said and I feel like most of the NRL community is on board.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Darwin, I was in two minds about it. I am a big believer in calling out and shaming bad behaviour - it's only then that people start to learn that it is absolutely unacceptable.
steve b
Roar Guru
Hang on a minute office at least she got it right with no inuendo so their is no more B S. About the whole scenario !
fazed
Roar Rookie
Mary. I thoroughly enjoy all your posts as well as this one, being a long time eels supporter from a long time family of eels supporters & foundation member, I will not give them away no matter what. The game last night was perhaps one of the greatest games the eels have played, rates in many ways as high as the first premiership that I was at, the come from behind was similar as well, as was the hard fought moments. The sorry part of all the reports of the game last night, is that all of them have mentioned the off field issues, while some of those comments may be written to highlight all the adversity the players, coach, club & fans have had to put up & despite them all the team has shown its above those issues. Some of what you wrote has actually been out there in the media as well including the events with Keiran. I am like most eels supporters are sick of the latest stuff, as most if not all of it has no foundation, proof or the like with them, so far no charges have been laid, so I for one feel that having those issues should have no place in a game report, no matter how good the intent.
Officer59
Guest
If you're so inclined to demand privacy for Foran why are you writing an article about it?? Everyone respects Foran's privacy, however people like you keep bringing it up!
steve b
Roar Guru
Good on you MK well said.And let's hope this is enough to satisfy the media hype and all the false reports and it is ended to some degree. He needs his space and so does his family there is much more important things in life other than footy for him at the moment .I am sure the majority of the football community wish him nothing but the best.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Well said, Mary. I hope Foran gets the time and space and any help he needs. Some things are more important than footy.
Ticker
Guest
Nice article MK and I am sure as you are, all rugby league fans hope Kieran receives the help he needs and makes a makes good recovery. It's wonderful how the rugby league community can pull together and Kieran is so well respected it's not surprising most are sympathetic and supportive. What is sad is there are so many thousands of people, who don't have the tremendous support that Keiran has and will receive, who battle similar, if not worse demons who do not have that same help and who fight a dark and seemingly unwinnable battle almost daily. Depression is the silent demon none of us can see but when takes hold of you it can destroy your soul. Look out for your family and friends, ask them how they are doing and if they are ok. They may look at you strangely, but then they may also open up to you and as for help. Together when can make a difference.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
I'm more talking about the bile from the sewer that is Sydney breakfast radio ... i just believe there was zero need to rehash that
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Hi Darwin Stubbie By including that information my intention was certainly not to add to the rumour mill. It was only to add context to the story and set out what had happened. The reality was that had those details not been released then the public and media would have continued to ask questions and press for information. Now that that information has been released, I'm hopeful that Kieran is absolutely left alone. Thanks for your comment! MK