Did the Sea Eagles let Foran go a year too early?
By Christian Nicolussi
July 1, 2022 — 6.12pmOne of Manly’s premiership legends has conceded it could take the Sea Eagles a whole season to adjust to life without Kieran Foran as the veteran five-eighth produces some of the best form of his career.
Jamie Lyon won an NRL title alongside Foran in 2011, and watched his old teammate play a key role in the nervy 36-30 win over Melbourne on Thursday night.
Melbourne almost pulled off a remarkable comeback against Manly, scoring four tries in the final five minutes.
Foran’s hopes of a two-year deal to remain on the northern beaches were dashed in May and the Titans moved quickly to sign him.
Josh Schuster, who has been seen as the heir apparent to Foran’s No.6 jersey, will need time to make the transition. After an injury-delayed start to the year, Schuster has only started a couple of games in the halves. Manly also have long-term hopes for boom teen Latu Fainu.
Lyon, who won his first premiership in 2008 at five-eighth, said Foran’s performances, and his chemistry with skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, would be tough to replicate.
Lyon, who now lives on the state’s Far North Coast, said of Foran: “He’s been a good leader, he’s helping to get them around the park, he’s not making many errors and was setting up tries again on Thursday night.
Kieran Foran was excellent against Melbourne.Credit:Getty
“He’s got that spark about him, which is good to see because of the rough trot he has had with injuries, so he deserves to be playing some good footy.
“He’ll definitely leave a hole. Schuster is there, but he plays a slightly different role, and it might take him a year or two to find his feet. He’s got the size about him, and playing in the halves compared to the forwards is different because you’re isolated the wider you get.
“He’s young, he’ll get his fitness up and get a little bit more experience. He’s got some good hands on him and he’ll be fine in the long run. But there will be a transition once Foz is gone.”
Foran was never going to accept the one-year deal on offer from Manly and, while excited about the move north to the Titans, knows there is still unfinished business this year.
Like Lyon, Foran knows Schuster will eventually handle the switch to the No. 6 jersey.
“Josh has a good footy brain and the nous and skill to dominate in that five-eighth position,” Foran told the Herald. “The reason he can be a success is he will have a full pre-season at No.6 alongside Daly, who will guide him and develop him.”
As for his own form, which has some commentators comparing his performances to those he produced more than a decade ago when the Sea Eagles won their last premiership, Foran said: “Deep down I believe I’m getting the rewards for the hard work I put in through some really tough years.
“The body is also physically in a really good spot and I feel like I can do everything I want to do on the footy field without any hesitation or self-preservation, which is how I played years ago. I feel like I’m back there again because my body can withstand anything I want to put it through.”
Absolutely we are making a mistake by letting him go. He has been far more consistent than DCE, the guy bleeds Maroon and is a natural "follow me" type leader. I still shake my head every time I think about us extending DCE by another 2 years 12 months before his current deal even expires. Yet we can't find another $300-$400K to keep one of the better performing 6's in the comp here. By his own admission above his body is the best it has been for years and his confidence is high. It's madness. I'm not sure who is going to be running the attack next year but I'm worried we will miss Foz big time and it'll be a rabble
