Kieran Foran could join best mate Mitchell Pearce in Newcastle’s best playmaker pairing since the Johns brothers
Bulldogs star Kieran Foran has opened up about where he might be playing in 2021, after reports revealed the Knights are chasing the off-contract playmaker.
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Off-contract star Kieran Foran has indicated a desire to remain at Canterbury.
Linked with Newcastle amid reports he had rejected an offer from the Bulldogs, Foran insisted his preference was to remain at Belmore for 2021.
Foran has endured a wretched run of injuries at Canterbury and will be forced to accept a substantial pay cut to stay.
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“The club has been pretty patient with me and I’ve had every intention of playing every week and playing my best footy. If I can have a change of luck and stay on the field I would love to do that with Canterbury,” Foran said after his side’s 18-16 loss to Parramatta on Sunday.
“The Dogs have been really good to me and I’ve had a tough few years with injury. I’m hopeful I can get a bit of luck on the injury front and string some constant games together.
“I’m focused on doing that at the moment and hopefully everything else will take care of itself if I can stay on the pitch.
“I’m starting to feel really fresh again. I have missed some footy in the previous years and all the work I’ve put into my body … I’m starting to feel good again.
“It would be nice to get it done within the next few weeks for sure. There’s obviously a process that needs to go through from both sides.
“I’m really comfortable with what the club needs to do in that regard and they’re comfortable with what I need to do. There’s that real genuine respect from both sides and hopefully we’ll be able to work something out.
“I haven’t had a chat with ‘Baz’ (new coach Trent Barrett). He’s probably pretty busy with his stuff over there (at Penrith).”
When fit, Foran is pure class in a side that lacks copious amounts of quality.
And the playmaker said his side has felt more relaxed since the club ended speculation over their coaching situation.
“I just think there’s probably not as much tension in the joint in terms of the players having some clarity around what direction the club is heading in,” Foran said.
“As much as you say it doesn’t affect you, that uncertainty around the joint probably plays a role on everyone’s minds. The fact the club has made the decision on what they’re doing the next two to three years and guys being able to focus on their game.
“Having that clarity and that direction is good for everyone involved in the organisation. We can’t worry about next year just yet. We’re not where we need to be and we haven’t been there all year – and it’s showing in the results. We’re stranded at the bottom.”
Knights enter Foran race
– James Phelps
Newcastle earlier emerged as a shock new home for Foran after the Bulldogs star knocked back a cut-priced contract offer from Canterbury.
Expected to stay at Belmore for at least another year after making a successful return from injury, Foran could hit the open market after his manager asked the club to revise their first offer.
The Bulldogs have already been made aware of interest from the Knights and the West Tigers after details of the one-year-deal offer knock-back were leaked.
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It is understood the Bulldogs’ initial offer was a one-year-deal worth less than $400,000.
“The first conversations are always a little more challenging,” Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said.
“And no doubt we are aware that some clubs will be looking at Kieran after those first conversations. We will continue to talk to Kieran and his agent in the coming weeks.”
The Knights have emerged as the early favourite to snare Foran should the Bulldogs decide not to offer a revised deal.
The Bulldogs have been told that Mitchell Pearce is keen to finish his career by playing alongside his “best mate” Foran in what would be Newcastle’s best halves pairing since Andrew and Matty Johns.
Newcastle recruitment manager Alex McKinnon said the Knights would be interested in a player like Foran but denied any discussion about signing the Bulldogs playmaker.
McKinnon said Newcastle would not have the salary cap cash to bring Pearce’s schoolboy halves partner to the club.
“At the moment we don’t have the money for that,” McKinnon said.
“Obviously we would love it, but I don’t think we have the room to see someone like Foran in a Knights jersey.”
The Knights, however, may be able to free enough cash to sign Foran if he is willing to join Pearce on a contract similar to what has been offered by the Bulldogs.
The addition of a second year might be enough to get a deal done.
The Bulldogs have not yet decided if they will make Foran a revised offer.
The club is expected to consult incoming coach Trent Barrett before reconsidering the deal.
“We have some interest,” Hill said.
“But we are waiting to see what Kieran wants to do.”
The Wests Tigers have also been linked to Foran.
With the future of No.7 Luke Brooks in doubt and Benji Marshall expected to retire at the end of the year, the Tigers are expected to make a play for Foran in the coming weeks.
While Foran is certain to attract offers of more than $400,000, the playmaker will not get close to the $1.2m he is on with the Bulldogs this season following an injury riddled three-year stint with the club.