Eels’ Kieran Foran wants a fresh start at Pirtek after a shocking round one in 2015 for Manly
ROUND one could not have gone any worse for Kieran Foran in 2015 — he tore his hamstring, his side were beaten by 30 points and DCE announced he was leaving Manly.
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KIERAN Foran has shocking memories of round one at Pirtek Stadium last year.
He failed to finish the game because of a torn hamstring. His Manly side was smashed by 30 points. Then star No. 7 Daly Cherry-Evans broke the news to his teammates that he was joining the Gold Coast on a mega deal.
“It couldn’t have got any worse could it,’’ said Foran, who will be hoping his return to Pirtek Stadium on Thursday night — this time as captain of the Eels — will leave better memories.
“We’d just been flogged, a few blokes had injuries, Gutho (Clint Gutherson) did his ACL, I did my hammy, then Chez (Cherry-Evans) told us the news. There wasn’t much said on the bus ride home. That ended pretty badly.
“But it’s all behind me now. Now I’m here and really enjoying it. Hopefully it’s a better round-one game for myself and my team.’’
Foran is a big reason there is genuine excitement out west this season.
To prove how much belief there is in the club, financial services company Infinity Group Australia came on board as a sponsor for the back of the club’s jumper for the next three years.
Thursday night’s clash against the Brisbane Broncos will also go close to being a sellout.
And a sea of blue and gold will keep a close eye on recruits Michael Gordon, Beau Scott, Michael Jennings and especially the man wearing No. 7, Foran.
The Kiwi international is keeping a lid on the hype and knows if he plays the role he played in his six seasons at Manly, the Eels will be fine.
Another thing that is more than fine is Foran’s suspect hamstrings, which have caused him grief in the past two seasons.
“The hammies are good, and they seem to be not causing me dramas at the moment,’’ he said. “I’m optimistic I’ll get through an injury-free year.
“I had a lot of dramas last year, and I’ve had a lot of dramas with them (hammies) in previous years, just because of my back issues. But fingers crossed I’m on top of that now.’’
Foran knows how difficult it can be to win at Parramatta. Of the six trips he’s made to the venue, he only came away a winner twice. He’s now glad to be one of the locals, and hopes the Broncos return north empty-handed.
While Foran has a healthy respect for his new halves partner Corey Norman, he also understands the importance of shutting down Broncos playmakers Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford.
“They’re incredibly good halves, they throw shots at you all over the field, and they can strike from any position,’’ Foran said.
“You don’t really know what they’re going to do. They have that ability to play off the cuff. They are two players you need to shut down if you want the win.
“You have to apply as much pressure as you can to them, and try to limit their time with the footy because they’re a dangerous side.
“That’s the way they play, they play unstructured and fast footy.’’
Originally published as Eels’ Kieran Foran wants a fresh start at Pirtek after a shocking round one in 2015 for Manly
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