Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur stands by Kieran Foran - for now
Danny Weidler
Troubled Parramatta star Kieran Foran walked into a meeting this week with Eels coach Brad Arthur fearing he would be sacked, but walked out with a determination to make it back to the top.
Arthur is a matter-of-fact individual and coach, and he laid it on the line to Foran. The message was simple: he wants Foran back to his former self and to start becoming the leader and individual that he knows better than most.
Arthur wasn't brutal with Foran, as he knows all too well the delicacy of Foran's situation. Arthur is a father figure to the player, and the Eels No.7 has enormous respect for his coach. That's why he listened and agreed with Arthur in his assessment, and Foran is making every attempt to become the best person and footballer he can be.
There were suggestions in the past few days that he wouldn't play again.
There is no doubt that in his darkest moments he has questioned more than just his football career. You will recall he had to be rushed to hospital after a prescription medication overdose. But Foran wants to play rugby league, he says it's an important part of his life.
It would be wrong to say the sport is looming as his saviour because only Foran can fix his issues. "I have no intention of quitting footy," he said. "Probably the opposite, to be honest. I need football in my life."
Foran is very aware that if Arthur feels the need to question his behaviour again, the outcome of that meeting may be what he feared would happen when he entered this week's meeting.
He has been using his time away from football productively from a family viewpoint. He has been dedicating himself to his children and has been working through other issues.
Foran is considering opening up in an interview to set the record straight in numerous areas. Having been privy to what he has been through, it's a story that will resonate with plenty of people.
