No hard feelings from Geoff Toovey as Kieran Foran heads to the Eels
- MANLY DAILY
- JULY 03, 2015 4:07PM
SEA Eagles coach Geoff Toovey says there are no hard feelings with Kieran Foran’s decision to join Parramatta and he will depart at the end of the season with the blessing of the club.
It was revealed yesterday that Foran had agreed to a new two-year deal with the Eels after a drawn out contract debacle which briefly saw Manly back in with a chance to re-sign him.
“I think it will add some clarity, I don’t think it will take any pressure off him,” Toovey said.
“Kieran is a very focused and dedicated footballer and the pressure that he puts on himself is to perform each week- it doesn’t matter where he is.
“I hope we will see the best out of him for the remainder of the season.”
🙄
Toovey would not go into any conversations he may have had with Foran, but said he was a
very strong willed man who had worked things through with his manager.
“I think all players come and go from this club in particular with our blessing,” Toovey said.
“Obviously it is great to leave on an amicable sort of relationship and no doubt that will be the same with Kieran.”
Toovey said the loss of Foran will leave Manly a bit short at five-eighth.
“That key position is a vital one and it will be difficult to fill,” he said.
Sea Eagles great John Gibbs told the Manly Daily he believes skipper Jamie Lyon should be moved in there next season and Toovey said he was one of many options.
“He played there when we won a grand final 40-0 so he’s not a bad football player,” Toovey said.
Toovey’s most immediate concern is tomorrow’s game with the Sharks at Brookvale Oval and the team will be boosted by Lyon’s return.
The skipper is expected to replace Peta Hika who has a minor leg injury.
“We’ve just got to focus on winning the game on Sunday to be honest with you, try to force our way up into the top eight and have a chance for this year,” he said.
Toovey was very disappointed for halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to miss selection in the Queensland State of Origin side, but that means he will be back on deck for the Sea Eagles tomorrow and the coach believes he will have a wow of a game tomorrow.
“He hasn’t got a point to prove, there are no issues there,” he said.