Why allowing Kieran Foran back into the NRL is the right thing

KIERAN Foran is back in the NRL and Nick Walshaw says that’s exactly how it should be. Yes, Foran has fallen, but how can you ban someone who committed no crime?

• RETURN: Foran cleared to join Warriors by round three

• FAN REVOLT: Eels fans seethe over NRL’s Foran decision

KIERAN Foran is back in the NRL.

As he should be.

For how do you out a fella who has committed no crime?

Sure, Foran has fallen.

Terribly.

Within the past 10 months, his suicide attempt coupled with the breakdown of a relationship, a family and that hyped $5 million contract with Parramatta.

And, yes, for all of this Foran is at the centre.

But when was depression considered a crime? Or attempted suicide?

And what right does anybody have to put a timeframe on how long it takes a man to recover -- or what pursuits may help him get there?

Kieran Foran can join the Warriors as early as round three.

So make whatever judgement you like of Foran.

Plenty have.

Just as the playmaker’s name has not only surfaced during those Manly match-fixing investigations, but again when NRL types looked into player relationships with Eddie Hayson.

But still, Foran has been found guilty of nothing.

Explaining, too, how bouts of excessive drinking and gambling were part of his losing battle with the Black Dog.

And think about that for a second.

For Kieran Foran, he’s arguably the toughest player in the NRL today. A fella who refuses to lose battles with even rival props who outweigh by him 30 kilos.

And still, he tried to end his life.

Which doesn’t make him the only victim in all of this, sure. Not when a partner and children are involved.

But these are the sports pages.

Kieran Foran has been training with the Warriors for months.

Which is why you should know this isn’t some elite athlete pulling the depression card when they get caught DUI.

No, this is arguably the greatest fall in rugby league history.

Which will probably still leave Eels fans spitting fire.

Indeed, given what those poor buggers have been through since Jarryd Hayne was allowed walk -- without anyone thinking, um, maybe we should ensure he has to come back too -- who can blame them?

But again, Foran said he needed out of the Eels -- not to mention both Sydney and Australia -- to get himself right.

And who are we not to take him at his word?

Same as nobody can argue with Auckland, rugby league and a new Warriors contract being a key ingredient to his ongoing recovery, resurrection or both.

Upset Eels fans should also remember star winger Semi Radradra continues to play.

Free to tear up touchlines for at least the opening nine rounds, despite an ongoing domestic assault charge being before the courts.

But isn’t this how life works? Innocent until proven otherwise?

And should any player be found guilty of fixing, cheating or assaulting their missus, sure, throw the book at them.

But Foran?

Well, thankfully, he avoided becoming a statistic.

And now, earns the chance to start over in the game he loves.

Good luck to him.