Top Dog Foran says best is ahead of him

Heckler

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By Christian Nicolussi

August 16, 2019 — 4.00pm

SMH


Kieran Foran still remembers his old Manly mates telling him his career would go fast.

"When you first come through as a kid, you think you've got so much time. I remember hearing it from the older blokes, some of my great mates at Manly, how 'it will go fast', but I'd think it wouldn't go that fast,'' Foran tells the Herald.

"But I'm 29 now. I know at best I've got three or four great years left in my body.

"I'm sure that will go quickly, too.
"I just want to appreciate every game you play.

"The amount of growth and learning I've gained in the last four years, I believe it will set me up perfectly for the next three or four years, and that's my honest opinion. I couldn't be more firm about that.

"This journey I've been on with the setbacks, on and off the field, it makes you stronger and wiser, and I've got no doubts in my mind that my best days on the football field are still yet to come. I just need a touch of luck with my body.''

Canterbury fans no doubt feel sorry for Foran when it comes to his crummy run with injuries.

But there are just as many out there feeling frustrated that their superstar playmaker who is pulling in north of $1 million a season simply can't stay on the bloody park.

The latest return is on Saturday night against South Sydney. He will be impossible to miss on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium when he gets around with his trademark waddle, top-bun hairstyle, the pained smile and the No.20 on his back.

Foran is expected to start at five-eighth alongside Lachlan Lewis, with Jack Cogger to drop back to the bench.

The man they call "Foz" was brilliant and tough against the Wests Tigers back in round three when he suffered a high-ankle sprain. He refused to come from the field and played on for 50 minutes.

Respected club doctor Dave Givney told the Herald at the time most that people would have struggled to walk let alone finish a game of rugby league.

''That's as good as you'll get when it comes to bravery,'' Givney said.

I played seven seasons there and left when I was 25. When you talk about halves or five-eighths, they don't play their best footy at 25.

After undergoing tightrope surgery on his ankle, Foran raced back well ahead of schedule but injured his left hamstring against Cronulla in round 15. Then, as he prepared for his return against the Sydney Roosters a few weeks ago, Foran tore his right calf.

Hopefully by now when you're reading this you're starting to feel a bit of Foran's pain.

"I know for both sides it's been really frustrating – frustrating for myself and frustrating for the club – because I haven't been on the field, and that's what I'm here to do,'' Foran said.

"I know if can stay on the field consistently I'll produce some of my best footy and hopefully achieve something here at the club with the boys.

"One of the most frustrating things for me is when I hear people say 'my best days are behind me', or 'I haven't played great footy since my Manly days'.

"I played seven seasons there and left when I was 25. When you talk about halves or five-eighths, they don't play their best footy at 25.

"I was still learning my craft back then. I was a part of a great side, a world-class side, I won a premiership in 2011 and played in six straight finals. You have to give credit to the quality of that side.

"My best days are ahead. I just want to get back out there. I had a good hit-out the other day and I'm ready to go.''

Foran was assured by Canterbury officials he was not being shopped around for next year. He can understand why that talk would be out there.

He also knows if he wants to be a part of the Belmore revolution, he needs to stay on the field. The short-term goal is to feature in the final four games. Should he do that, he'll have played 199 NRL games.

"The club have been up front and honest with me and they've said there's absolutely no truth to the rumours,'' Foran said.

"I also understand the Dogs are looking to rebuild and looking for the sort of side they want to take forward.

"I know my only chance of being a part of that is playing great footy week in, week out. If I'm injured or not playing good footy, I'm a realist and know I won't be a part of their plans moving forward.

"If I'm healthy, I'm sure the club will want to keep me around.''
Souths have spent a lot of this week blowing up at Melbourne and their wrestling tactics, and will be want to be careful they do not underestimate Foran and the Dogs, who are chasing a fifth win in seven games.

"I don't think we've got a top-four scalp this year,'' Foran said.
"The whole morale around the joint has changed. It's been a difficult 18 months for everyone involved at the club. Seeing how hard we had worked without getting the results was frustrating. But the way the energy levels have turned the past six weeks, it's great to see the smiles on the blokes faces again. We're enjoying it again and all talking about finishing the year strongly.''
 

bradyk

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"But I'm 29 now. I know at best I've got three or four great years left in my body.
 

wendog33

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Delusional springs to mind.... but ....
 

Aristidiz

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3 years??? Wtf is this bloke on, taking the absolute p*ss. He has the best of 3 games left in him
 

maroondog72

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Three or four years left in his body!!!! FMD hope he spends them at manly
 

Bazildog

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"My best days are ahead. I just want to get back out there. I had a good hit-out the other day and I'm ready to go.''


"If I'm healthy, I'm sure the club will want to keep me around''
1yglln.jpg


 

wendog33

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You need to have some delusional thoughts to be a successful competitor.
You also need a functioning body...that's where fact, wishful thinking and fairy tales end.

No way is Foran retiring gracefully unfortunately. By the sounds of it he expects to re-sign for 4 more years after this contract expires....successful competitor?
 

Scoooby

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Feel for Fozzy.. but can’t help but say his body is up for 3 or 4 years lol. It’s al too far gone !! Would love him to prove me wrong though.
 

Spoonman84

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He won't last even those 3 or 4 games....he'll probably break down again before the season end.
Yeah it tend to agree. It’s happened so often now it’s something more then just bad luck.
 

bradyk

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You also need a functioning body...that's where fact, wishful thinking and fairy tales end.

No way is Foran retiring gracefully unfortunately. By the sounds of it he expects to re-sign for 4 more years after this contract expires....successful competitor?
"I know my only chance of being a part of that is playing great footy week in, week out. If I'm injured or not playing good footy, I'm a realist and know I won't be a part of their plans moving forward.
In any case, as long as there is a chance, regardless if it's 1%, competitors have this mind set. Otherwise they wouldn't be where they're today, just my opinion.
 

top-dog

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In denial wanker he’s just happy with the money nothin else . He will never recover or be the same as he was years ago he should wake up seriously.
 

Alan79

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I do hope we get some good football out of him. But 3-4 years is optimistic really.
 

GrogDog

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Here I am thinking/hoping this guy will medically retire himself for the greater good yet he thinks he's got multiple years left. Is there a head bin for out of games hours?
 

boggie23

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So cogger to the bench?

Let’s take out the only player that can kick pass and run out of the line up for a broken playmaker and one that can’t throw a cut out pass without it being a rainbow.

Not a cogger fan boy. But kid has engaged the line so much. He is a threat when he runs in and sets up players and has the best boot at the club.

If I was him and got dropped to the bench I wouldn’t be happy.
 
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