By Brad Walter
Kieran Foran would need to convince the NRL he was in a fit state to resume playing if he succeeds in gaining a release from Parramatta and wanted to join another club next season.
Foran last Friday officially requested a release just nine months into his $4.8 million, four-year Eels contract to deal with personal problems that earlier this season culminated in him standing down from playing to seek treatment after being rushed to hospital following a prescription drugs overdose.
Heavy heart: Kieran Foran is reportedly not interested in football as he continues to deal with personal issues.Credit: Getty Images
Parramatta are expected to grant Foran a release in a move which may pave the way for the return of Jarryd Hayne for the rest of the season on the proviso he signs a multi-year deal with the club. While those close to Foran insist playing again is the furthest thing on his mind, there would be no shortage of bidder for the New Zealand captain and five-eighth, who is considered the highest paid player in the game.
Canterbury, whose coach Des Hasler has a close relationship with Foran from their time together at Manly and twice previously went close to signing him, and the Sea Eagles would both be expected to make a play for the star playmaker.
However, Fairfax Media can reveal that any club which signed Foran would need to satisfy the NRL that he had overcome his off-field problems before they would register a contract for the 25-year-old. The process is similar to the one the NRL applies for players who have been in trouble off the field, such as St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer or Sydney Roosters centre Blake Ferguson, as officials want to avoid having to deal with any future problems.
The Eels have given no indication of when Foran's request will be considered but there may be greater urgency to make a decision if they reach agreement with Hayne in coming days to play the remainder of the season.
Hayne arrived in Sydney on Thursday after missing selection for the Fiji rugby sevens squad to compete at next month's Olympic Games in Rio.
Having quit San Francisco 49ers earlier this year after leaving Parramatta at the end of the 2014 season to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, the 28-year-old is expected to return to the Eels but there is interest from other NRL clubs as well as rugby union in Australia and overseas.
The bold move, which saw him play eight matches for the 49ers last year, cost Hayne financially compared to what he would have earned had he stayed at Parramatta and his best option to recoup the money may be a stint in French or Japanese rugby union but he would still command more than $1 million per season in the NRL. "It's been a hectic five weeks, physically and mentally and emotionally," Hayne told Channel Nine. "I'll sit down with my manager over the weekend and, you know, and kind of debrief."
Meanwhile, the Eels will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on August 22 with a new board to be finalised by October 10. It is understood the club has ruled out appealing the deregistration of the five Eels officials – chairman Steve Sharp, chief executive John Boulous, head of football Daniel Anderson, and board members Tom Issa and Peter Serrao – for their roles in the salary cap breaches that have cost Parramatta 12 competition points and $1 million fine.
However, the Eels are expected to appeal the severity of the penalties imposed on the club for breaches dating back to the 2013 season.
Parramatta must win Sunday's clash with Penrith to keep their faint finals hopes alive.