Kieran Foran made the right decision choosing health over football
KIERAN Foran turned his back on a $5 million contract with Parramatta and it was the only decision he could make writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
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HE was supposed to be the man to deliver the Parramatta Eels’ first premiership in 30 years.
Instead it ended in a private and brief conversation with coach Brad Arthur at training on Thursday morning.
And those closest to Kieran Foran say he was the happiest he had been for months on Thursday night as he began telling friends of his bombshell decision.
It was like a giant load being lifted from his shoulders. There was no longer any pressure as an NRL superstar.
He was now Kieran Foran, member of the public, not Kieran Foran NRL star.
Here is a 25-year-old turning his back on a $5 million contract, one of the richest in NRL history.
It was a choice between freedom or a fortune — and he chose the first option.
That’s not to say his decision to quit rugby league is a permanent one.
As we reported last weekend, there has already been interest from the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters.
His tight relationship with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler will probably see him end up at Belmore.
They won two premierships together at Manly and have remained close ever since.
That’s providing the Parramatta Eels board approves his release.
GONE: Foran walks out on Parramatta
QUESTIONS: What do Eels do now?
Those closest to Foran suggest he wanted to take the rest of this year off to get his life sorted.
Arthur wanted him to be at training every day and at games. They couldn’t reach an agreement on his rehab program and so it ended like it did.
You feel for Arthur because lately he’s been coach, CEO and chairman of the rabble that is the Parramatta Eels — plus dealing with the personal issues of his star playmaker — and a young man he was once very close to.
So when the Eels run out to play the Roosters, Foran will not be at Pirtek Stadium.
He will no doubt be watching from home. Like the rest of us.
Whether he has made the right decision or not only time will tell.
Right now his issues with depression are more important than anything else.
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