At approximately 5.15pm on Friday, July 29, 2016, the relationship between the Parramatta Eels and Kieran Foran officially ended.
Following a series of breach notices and weeks of speculation about his state of mind and his commitment to football, Foran was officially released from his contractual commitments at the club, and made a decision to temporarily walk away from rugby league.
My first thought was about Foran and his well-being, and I know I was not alone. Even among the staunchest of Parramatta supporters, I have found that the rugby league community has a tremendous ability to rally around its own when they have fallen on difficult circumstances, and with Foran’s issues well documented this year, it was clear he had been struggling and needed some time away.
The media and the general public seemed to understand this and left him alone.
As a Parramatta fan, I felt no ill will – although I did question whether our number 7 jersey really is cursed. While winning is important, it is certainly not as important as the welfare of our players, no matter which club they play for. As a game, the NRL and clubs have an obligation to ensure that players are not only physically fit, but also mentally healthy.
Parra and Foran dealt with the situation amicably and what was most important was negotiating a commercial outcome while ensuring that Foran was looked after. If Foran felt that what was best for him was to be released from his contractual commitments and have some time away from the game, then the Eels’ approach seemed to be deep disappointment that it did not work out, but then ‘so be it and of course, good luck’.
I thought that would be the end of any discussion about Foran for a couple of months, but I was very quickly proven wrong.
Merely days after the terms of his release were announced, there were whispers that Foran was heading to the Canterbury Bulldogs to reunite with former coach Des Hasler as early as the end of the year. There were references to the role of mentor that Des has played for Foran over a number of years, and their success together at the Sea Eagles.
Then, after the whispers about a potential Bulldogs move quietened down, Foran was linked to the New Zealand Warriors and his long-time friend, Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle.
Initially, these rumours made me uncomfortable, but now that feeling has changed to anger.
If Foran’s issues were significant enough to see him walk away from a multi-million dollar contract with Parramatta, then how can he be ready to join a new club in 2017 – particularly since most teams begin their pre-season training in November? (Click to Tweet)
After just four months, how Foran will have sorted through the litany of off-field issues he is facing is something I am struggling to get my head around.
I do not pretend to know Foran or understand his headspace, but this seems extremely rushed in circumstances where there does not need to be any rush at all.
Should Foran try to return as early as 2017, I am confident that the NRL will ensure that all the off-field issues (which led to a number of breach notices at Parramatta) have been dealt with, that Foran is made to demonstrate how he has dealt with these issues, and that the Integrity Unit is satisfied that Foran in the right headspace to return to the game.
This might seem too hard arse, but the last thing I want is for Foran to return in 2017 and then find himself in a similar situation to this year, where his personal life and life on the field collided so spectacularly and absolutely to his detriment. Some things are more important than winning, and at no point should it come at the expense of our athletes’ health.
This has nothing to do with the Parramatta Eels, and everything to do with ensuring that Foran is only allowed to return to the game when the relevant issues have been dealt with.
I truly hope that we see Kieran Foran back in our game. On countless occasions he has proven that he is an astute playmaker, a valuable leader and a player with extraordinary talent.
But unless he sorts himself out off the field, it is unlikely we will see this extraordinary talent manifest itself again.
It’s time for Keiran to take a time out and for those whispers to disappear. If that happens, I would hope that by the time pre-season for 2018 rolls around, he will be ready to join a new club and resume his playing career exactly where he left off.
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague
Matt
Guest
He walked out on a club in crisis to deal with his own personal off field issues and i don't think anyone would begrudge him for doing that. I think it took guts to walk away and sort out his Mental health issues and good on him. That being said i think it stinks that he can be asking to play for another club so soon. Not sure if it is true but wasn't there a clause in his Eels contract that he could leave the club if there was Board issues, and the NRL never signed off on it? If so well he did it via other avenues. Foran should be made to sit out the 2017 comp. and show that he is mentally fit enough to engage in a strenuous Rugby League Season and commit fully. It is not fair to the Warriors players, Fans if he just does this again.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Ahh, so he isn't personally under investigation. He is just one of the 34 players that played in games that are under investigation. So should the other 34 players be stood down as well? He has not even been interviewed, let alone charged. His association with Hayson is public news and I was aware of it. Eddie Hayson is not a convicted criminal. He is a former brothel owner. A business which is legal in Australia. He is a known gambler and is banned from various casinos and betting agencies. The NRL is sponsored by various betting agencies, so no problem there. Being friends with a "colourful" person is not a reason for the integrity unit to be involved. If Hayson were a convicted criminal, then fair enough. There are absolutely no grounds whatsoever for the integrity unit to investigate him or look at his mental health issues. Only a doctor is qualified to know whether his mental health issues are sufficiently under control so that he can play.
Muzz
Guest
Teflon Broncos.
Birdy
Guest
Wow J Roberts $20000 fine, no more warnings. Time to go into the fetal position.
catcat
Roar Rookie
Nearly two years out of the game is a long time. Part of healing is getting back to your normal life, so I don't see how sitting out a season next year helps with recovery..best thing would be to start a few weeks into the 2017 season next year when the excitement of the opening rounds are over..of course if he is up to it. But I would encourage that as a target/goal - but not knowing the full details of everything who can say.
Baz
Guest
It is an easy out for someone who wants to get out of the situation. A fine line indeed not saying either way but wont really know either.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's a fine line PS. I've also got a family member who suffers from depression. He's the most outgoing, fun loving, engaging person you've ever met but battles demons constantly. And for most of his life he's had to do it alone. We want to encourage people to talk about these issues and not have to fight on their own but I also get frustrated when a footy player has a blowout and then glibly says "Oh, but I'm depressed". Having said that Forans issues seem to go deeper than that and I haven't seen or read anything to suggest he's not genuine.
Officer59
Guest
Sorry for the stern response. I'm just tired of the constant Manly bashing & affiliation with match fixing when nothing has been proven.
celtic bandaid
Guest
Oh it will be a great article
Birdy
Guest
I think Keiran should become an All Black. They're long overdue for a scandal.
Bugs
Guest
Touchy! Touchy!
Muzz
Guest
The depression card is so versatile. Has James Roberts used his yet?
Craig
Guest
Correct. Ridiculous article.
Jacko
Guest
Not up to us Mary. My question would be what does Foran want?
Jacko
Guest
Does having mental issues leave a permanent or temporary stain on one's character? Your attitude is exactly what society is trying to get rid of, and sport is working as hard as any other part of society
Jacko
Guest
Armchair thos fleas you mention seem to be layd down with by every man and his dog. The NRL 360 team know the x brothel owner well and say he is a great bloke. The Johns brothers know him well (that probably makes him dodgy) and many guys in NRL seem to know him so to ban one person for knowing him seems odd. If the investigation finds different then we will no doubt have another article on here to comment on.
Jacko
Guest
No Mals Foran is from NZ. He will have to jump more hoops than any body else would. I heard Greenberg on tv the other day saying they would need to look at a whole bunch of stuff before they would consider re registering him. Remember that Foran has had no behavour issues etc that has stopped others being registered and his misdemeanors are minor things which are club related in injury treatment and rehab. Not drugs or drinking etc and one thing I hear a bit is his association with the X brothel owner, and it would appear that every person in the NRL knows and likes the brothel owner so that cant be held against him. So why would they not let him register?
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
That's absolutely true, John.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
True!
Craig
Guest
The guy has had a rough year. Who are we to say he shouldn't come back in 2017? So we now make assessments on peoples mental situation from our arm chairs and judge them through the media? If a club is willing to take him on, let him play.