DONE DEAL: KIERAN FORAN’S TITANIC CONTRACT REVEALED
- By Michael Carayannis and Phil 'AA' Rothfield
Kieran Foran’s second coming at Manly is over with the
Sea Eagles star to join the Titans on a two year $800,000 deal from next season.
An emotional Foran put aside his impending switch to help lead his side to a 36-22 win against the Tigers. Foran laid on a try in front of a capacity crowd as his time as a Sea Eagle comes to an end.
“It will probably be my last contract,” Foran said. “It was a big call. I’ve been getting through the week and wanted to get the game over and done with.
“I don’t want to say too much about it just yet. There will be a time and place to talk about that sort of stuff. I have been extremely grateful to get the opportunity to come back here.
“The club which holds a special place in my heart. I have great mates here, blokes I’ve played footy with for a long time and a coach who has believed in me since I made my debut.”
Despite desperately wanting to remain at the Sea Eagles, the salary cap has squeezed the Kiwi international out of the club for a second time. Manly were only going to be able to offer the 31-year-old a cut-price one year contract.
Instead he has secured what could be his last contract in the NRL with the Titans to pounce. Foran will offer some much needed guidance to an inexperienced Gold Coast spine.
He played his 247th match for the Sea Eagles against the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
In comparison the Titans spine named to play the Roosters on Saturday night had just 203 matches between AJ Brimson, Will Smith, Toby Sexton and Erin Clark. Injured boom fullback Jayden Campbell has played just 10 games.
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Foran will take on a mentor role for the young Titans side and look to form a partnership with Sexton.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler said he was “a real pro”.
Outside his two stints at Manly though Foran has had limited success. He did not match his high price tag during ill-fated seasons at Parramatta and Canterbury while his 17 games for the Warriors helped resurrect his career.
Manly threw him a lifeline on a two year deal worth about $500,000 – making him one of the poorer paid five-eighths in the competition.
Despite helping lead the Sea Eagles to a top four finish last year, the club’s tight cap position and the likely position switch of Josh Schuster from the backrow into the halves made it difficult for the club and Foran to come to an arrangement.