‘I feel really good’: Resurgent Sea Eagles star Kieran Foran primed for another big year

Kieran Foran has battled through his share of injuries and off-field struggles but says he feels as fit as ever ahead of his 14th NRL season.

Sea Eagles veteran Kieran Foran insists his injury and mental health struggles are firmly in the past, declaring ahead of his 14th NRL season that he feels as mentally and physically fit as he did 10 years ago.

Foran last season reunited with coach Des Hasler at the club where he became a household name and played more games than in any year since leaving.

During unconvincing stints at the Eels, Warriors and Bulldogs, Foran endured highly publicised injury and mental health struggles.

The Kiwi international hit rock bottom playing for Parramatta on big money in 2016 when he attempted to take his own life by overdosing on prescription medication.

But back on the northern beaches playing under the coach who made him a star, Foran returned to form last season in what appeared to be his last roll of the dice at NRL level.

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Dally M medallist Tom Trbojevic stole the headlines, allowing the veteran Sea Eagle to fly under the radar with a solid 18 line-break assists and 11 try assists. He was rewarded with a one-year contract extension.

Kieran Foran’s Sea Eagles contract runs out at the end of the season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Now, the 31-year-old is primed to take his form into the new season as the Sea Eagles aim for their first premiership since he and Daly Cherry-Evans locked up the 2011 title.

“I feel really good,” Foran told SENZ.

“I had a tough couple of years there physically and mentally a few years ago.

“My body seems to have come full circle. I’m regenerated, I feel fresh in the mind and I’m clear in the mind.

“The body is responding to it, I feel like I’ve got a new lease of life on my footy career.

“I’m 32 in July, but I’m feeling like I did when I was 22.”

Foran (left) is back home. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Despite his good relationship with Hasler, Foran said he hadn’t been given a free pass at pre-season training.

“He hasn’t taken it any easier on us older blokes,” Foran said on SENZ Mornings.

“Me and Cherry-Evans are still getting the whip cracked by him.

“He’s been running the boys into the ground, but it’s been a really solid pre-season by everyone at the club.”

On March 10, Foran’s Sea Eagles will meet reigning champions Penrith in the first match of the NRL season for what looms as a mouth-watering clash of title contenders.