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Kieran Foran knows he is fortunate to have been paid big money in recent years, despite being injured for a lot of that time. Which is why he is not "kicking and scremaing" about now being one of the NRL stars set to be hit hardest by the pay cut players accepted in their deal with the NRL.
One of 13 first-graders on $1 million a season or more, Foran stands to lose $500,000 of that should no more games be played this NRL season.
The pay deal announced this week will see players earn two months worth of wages and payments while the season is suspended. If the competition is unable to resume, players will surrender five out of 12 months' salary.
A rugby league great has suggested the entire NRL could be relocated to a Queensland island, then brought to the mainland for games.
In a cruel twist, Foran is finally physically ready to return to the park, only for there to be no games to play.
Like every other rugby league player, Foran said he is happy to take a pay cut – no matter how large – if it means "we can help keep the game alive for future years".
The reality is the whole world is suffering from this coronavirus and people around the world have lost jobs, lost their businesses and pay packets; we're no different," Foran said.
Kieran Foran won't be complaining about losing up to five months wages because of COVID-19. It's a great game we get to play and it's a great honour. The game's financial situation is not ideal.
"Yes, it will be difficult this year [with less money]. It means you have to adjust the way you live and your lifestyle choices. But if it means we've got a game next year, that's what we need to do."
Foran is off contract for next year and had hoped to sort his own future by August before the competition was shut down.
Now he knows he could be waiting right up until November to learn if he will remain at Belmore in 2021 or be forced to play elsewhere.
The only way he can secure a contract is to prove he can remain on the park for a prolonged period.
One positive for Foran is he will have fully recovered his shoulder injury - suffered in his New Zealand return in November - for Canterbury's next match, which will double as the five-eighth's 200th career game.
Kieran Foran will have recovered from a shoulder injury the next time the Bulldogs take the field - a game which will be his 200th top-grade game.
The Bulldogs lost their opening two games of 2020 with coach Dean Pay hinting a change was imminent in the halves, four days before the competition was suspended.
Foran brings class and is guaranteed to spark the Dogs' attack, something the club missed during the first two rounds.
"I'll be right for whenever we return," Foran said. "Put it this way, if I had to play next week in a grand final, I could play.
"The rehab is going really well. I'm basically doing all my rehab programs at home, but I'm still allowed access to [Dogs medico] Tony [Ayoub] and can go into the club for treatment.
I'm actually used to training on my own and having to spend time in rehab.
"For me it's about trusting the process. I believe we have a great game and the game will get back up and running this year.
"Then it will be up to me to put my best foot forward and play the best footy for the boys and the club, and hopefully if I do that I can earn myself another contract beyond this year.
Canterbury have two spots to fill on their roster after Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera were deregistered for their part in the Port Macquarie sex scandal.
The Dogs cannot negotiate with any players, but know they will need to fill those vacancies, most likely with development players, should the competition resume.
One of 13 first-graders on $1 million a season or more, Foran stands to lose $500,000 of that should no more games be played this NRL season.
The pay deal announced this week will see players earn two months worth of wages and payments while the season is suspended. If the competition is unable to resume, players will surrender five out of 12 months' salary.
A rugby league great has suggested the entire NRL could be relocated to a Queensland island, then brought to the mainland for games.
In a cruel twist, Foran is finally physically ready to return to the park, only for there to be no games to play.
Like every other rugby league player, Foran said he is happy to take a pay cut – no matter how large – if it means "we can help keep the game alive for future years".
The reality is the whole world is suffering from this coronavirus and people around the world have lost jobs, lost their businesses and pay packets; we're no different," Foran said.
Kieran Foran won't be complaining about losing up to five months wages because of COVID-19. It's a great game we get to play and it's a great honour. The game's financial situation is not ideal.
"Yes, it will be difficult this year [with less money]. It means you have to adjust the way you live and your lifestyle choices. But if it means we've got a game next year, that's what we need to do."
Foran is off contract for next year and had hoped to sort his own future by August before the competition was shut down.
Now he knows he could be waiting right up until November to learn if he will remain at Belmore in 2021 or be forced to play elsewhere.
The only way he can secure a contract is to prove he can remain on the park for a prolonged period.
One positive for Foran is he will have fully recovered his shoulder injury - suffered in his New Zealand return in November - for Canterbury's next match, which will double as the five-eighth's 200th career game.
Kieran Foran will have recovered from a shoulder injury the next time the Bulldogs take the field - a game which will be his 200th top-grade game.
The Bulldogs lost their opening two games of 2020 with coach Dean Pay hinting a change was imminent in the halves, four days before the competition was suspended.
Foran brings class and is guaranteed to spark the Dogs' attack, something the club missed during the first two rounds.
"I'll be right for whenever we return," Foran said. "Put it this way, if I had to play next week in a grand final, I could play.
"The rehab is going really well. I'm basically doing all my rehab programs at home, but I'm still allowed access to [Dogs medico] Tony [Ayoub] and can go into the club for treatment.
I'm actually used to training on my own and having to spend time in rehab.
"For me it's about trusting the process. I believe we have a great game and the game will get back up and running this year.
"Then it will be up to me to put my best foot forward and play the best footy for the boys and the club, and hopefully if I do that I can earn myself another contract beyond this year.
Canterbury have two spots to fill on their roster after Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera were deregistered for their part in the Port Macquarie sex scandal.
The Dogs cannot negotiate with any players, but know they will need to fill those vacancies, most likely with development players, should the competition resume.
