Vlasnik
Kennel Legend
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
- Messages
- 10,442
- Reaction score
- 8,181
He quit rugby league mid-season in 2016, walking out on the Eels.
The Warriors helped him off the canvas in 2017 before he moved back to Sydney to be closer to his kids, signing with the Bulldogs for 2018. A toe injury ended his season after 14 matches.
At only 28, injuries have derailed his career. In the off-season he married his new partner and worked his backside off at Belmore, getting fit and setting his sights on season 2019 being one of true redemption.
Brave performance: Kieran Foran played most of Sunday’s match on one leg.Credit:NRL Photos
Reports were that he was firing in the pre-season. Then we saw it for real in his trial form. In round two, we saw it in the first half against the Eels, then for the full game against Wests Tigers last week.
As the Dogs registered their first win for the year, a fit Foran was in the thick of it. As he scored in the first half, he injured an ankle and limped through the rest of the match.
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On Monday at recovery at Belmore, Foran came out of the team rooms to get some ice and had a jovial chat with the journalists present. He was smiling, saying his ankle just needed some ice and rest to be “sweet” to take on the Storm on Sunday.
He couldn’t have been more polite or happy. The Dogs had had a win. He played well. Onwards and upwards with many of his troubles behind him.
When he was battling his demons, Foran would never have left the sanctuary of the team rooms while journalists were present. He wouldn’t make eye contact. He was wary; lacked confidence. He wondered what you were thinking about him. Who was out to get him?
But Foran is healing and realises now he can be himself. It’s great to see.
Less is Belmore: Former Bulldogs coach Des Hasler.Credit:AAP
One thing is certain: he had absolutely no idea his ankle injury was so serious it needed surgery and three months off. It was simply a rolled ankle to him. He had played 60 minutes with it.
It’s such a shame.
A fit Foran is crucial to the Bulldogs under Dean Pay.
Many have questioned the coach receiving a contract extension through to the end of 2020. It’s all about stability, and a return to being the “family club”.
It’s working.
Under Des Hasler, the club became the polar opposite. It was a dark place where there was no light. Suspicion and a mistrust of anyone and anything reigned supreme.
You never felt welcome there.
They might have a team struggling on the park, but the ship is turning at Belmore. Last week, NRL debutant Jayden Okunbor and club debutant Nick Meaney were put up for interview.
The media almost fell over. In recent times, it was unheard of for the club to be so open.
Which is why the Foran injury is so disappointing. They need him on the field driving results while things are happening off the field at Belmore.
They may well get hammered on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, but eventually the family club will claw its way back.
As long as it leaves the light on.
https://www.newsline.com.au/2019/04...st-foran-typifies-brave-new-world-at-belmore/
The Warriors helped him off the canvas in 2017 before he moved back to Sydney to be closer to his kids, signing with the Bulldogs for 2018. A toe injury ended his season after 14 matches.
At only 28, injuries have derailed his career. In the off-season he married his new partner and worked his backside off at Belmore, getting fit and setting his sights on season 2019 being one of true redemption.
Brave performance: Kieran Foran played most of Sunday’s match on one leg.Credit:NRL Photos
Reports were that he was firing in the pre-season. Then we saw it for real in his trial form. In round two, we saw it in the first half against the Eels, then for the full game against Wests Tigers last week.
As the Dogs registered their first win for the year, a fit Foran was in the thick of it. As he scored in the first half, he injured an ankle and limped through the rest of the match.
Loading
On Monday at recovery at Belmore, Foran came out of the team rooms to get some ice and had a jovial chat with the journalists present. He was smiling, saying his ankle just needed some ice and rest to be “sweet” to take on the Storm on Sunday.
He couldn’t have been more polite or happy. The Dogs had had a win. He played well. Onwards and upwards with many of his troubles behind him.
When he was battling his demons, Foran would never have left the sanctuary of the team rooms while journalists were present. He wouldn’t make eye contact. He was wary; lacked confidence. He wondered what you were thinking about him. Who was out to get him?
But Foran is healing and realises now he can be himself. It’s great to see.
Less is Belmore: Former Bulldogs coach Des Hasler.Credit:AAP
One thing is certain: he had absolutely no idea his ankle injury was so serious it needed surgery and three months off. It was simply a rolled ankle to him. He had played 60 minutes with it.
It’s such a shame.
A fit Foran is crucial to the Bulldogs under Dean Pay.
Many have questioned the coach receiving a contract extension through to the end of 2020. It’s all about stability, and a return to being the “family club”.
It’s working.
Under Des Hasler, the club became the polar opposite. It was a dark place where there was no light. Suspicion and a mistrust of anyone and anything reigned supreme.
You never felt welcome there.
They might have a team struggling on the park, but the ship is turning at Belmore. Last week, NRL debutant Jayden Okunbor and club debutant Nick Meaney were put up for interview.
The media almost fell over. In recent times, it was unheard of for the club to be so open.
Which is why the Foran injury is so disappointing. They need him on the field driving results while things are happening off the field at Belmore.
They may well get hammered on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, but eventually the family club will claw its way back.
As long as it leaves the light on.
https://www.newsline.com.au/2019/04...st-foran-typifies-brave-new-world-at-belmore/
We don't need to search for the doom and gloom in everything do we???
