Kieran Foran says Eels coach Brad Arthur helped him through his dark days

Kieran Foran’s life “spiralled out of control” during his stint at the Eels but he will always be indebted to one man.

Kieran Foran of the Canterbury Bulldogs at a training session at Belmore on the 11th of March 2019. Photographer: Adam Yip

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A rejuvenated Kieran Foran says he’ll forever be indebted to Parramatta coach Brad Arthur for helping him through the toughest year of his life.

Offering a revealing insight into his current state of positive wellbeing, the Bulldogs playmaker explained that it was only now that he was able to express his gratitude for the support he received during a period of which his life “spiralled out control.”

Joining the Eels from Manly, Foran was appointed captain by Arthur at the Eels in the pre-season of 2016.

Kieran Foran says his life has turned around remarkably in recent years. (Photo by Phil Walter/2019 Getty Images)

But after just nine games for the club, Foran was released in July that year to enter rehabilitation.

“It was a bit of a blur, that time in my life,’’ Foran said.

“I do reflect on that year with Parramatta - it was the hardest year of my life in 2016.

“It was disappointing the way it worked out there.

“I wish it could’ve been different.

“But it is what it is, as they say.’’

LISTEN! Kieran Foran opens up on his tumultuous period at the Parramatta Eels and how his life has turned around.

Such was the maelstrom of turbulence at the time and despite their strong mateship, communication between Foran and Arthur fell silent.

Moving to New Zealand in 2017 and now the Dogs, the pair were able to reconnect for the first time in three years at a junior league fixture on the Central Coast.

“I guess I was angry at a lot of people in my life at that time and what was going on in my world,’’ Foran said.

“It wasn’t until I was able to take ownership of my life and look at things that I had done wrong and areas in my life that I needed to fix, that I was able to understand and be aware of the support and love that people had shown me through that time.

“And Brad was no different.

Kieran Foran (with Adam Elliott) says the Bulldogs are ready to turn around their performance from week one. Picture: Brett Costello

“Brad had been through the toughest time of my life.

“I know now that I’m extremely grateful for what he and his family have done.

“I’m a great believer in time heals everything.

“I’ve still got a relationship with him. I caught up with him not too long ago at a junior footy game.

“I wouldn’t say it (relationship) was strained and to the point where it was broken. We just hadn’t communicated because I had left the club.

“It’s something that probably ate away at me. So it was important that I mended that relationship.

Kieran Foran’s stint at the Eels ended in disaster. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

“I know that I’m deeply grateful and appreciative of what Brad did for me at that time.

“I’m extremely proud of the man I am today and what I’ve been able to get through.’’

Foran will face Arthur’s Eels on Sunday.

In the wake of a first-up thrashing from the Warriors, Canterbury are faced with an early season test of their character.

Yet according to Foran, not only is he confident the Dogs will bounce back - he has boldly declared the 2019 Canterbury squad one of the best team’s he’s ever played with.

“We’re bitterly disappointed as players with what we dished up against the Warriors,’’ Foran said.

“I’ve seen what sort of footy side we’ve got here and I know we’ve got the side to challenge the big guns.

“I’ve been around footy long enough to know what it takes to win and I believe we’ve got it here in spades.

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“People can say what they like about our roster, our playing group, the lack of this and that - but I know this side.

“We’ve got a footy side here, as good as any side I’ve been involved in.

“We’ve just got to find a way to play our best game.’’

Reminded he won the 2011 premiership with a Manly side boasting a rich blend of NRL experience and rising stars, Foran replied: “Everyone is always going to look at established players and say we don’t have them.

“But I don’t look into that. I look at how hard players work and what I see our here on the training paddock.

“I wouldn’t trade a player we’ve got for any other player. That’s the honest truth. I’ve got such belief in the group that we’ve got here.’’