THE past six weeks have been among the most difficult of Kieran Foran's life. The Manly half, widely regarded as one of the NRL's emerging superstars, has spent more than a month wrestling with his future. Only now, having made the decision to spurn an offer from the Sydney Roosters to remain at the Sea Eagles for at least another two seasons, can Foran reveal how trying it was.
"It's a huge weight off my shoulders," Foran told The Australian yesterday after confirming he had agreed to a new deal with Manly.
"I won't lie -- it is in your head when you're at training and it has been on my (mind) when I leave training. You turn up to training and you're still worried about it. You don't know what people are thinking . . . whether they're looking at you funny.
"Now that I have made the decision to stay (at Manly) it puts my focus entirely on getting my game right and getting things right for the team."
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What's made things more difficult is the timing of the decision. Foran has been locked in a pre-season battle for the halfback spot made vacant by Matt Orford's decision to leave for England.
His mind should have been focused on bedding down the No 7 jersey. Instead, it has been cluttered with contract talks.
"At a time when it was meant to be exciting, with new contracts on the table . . . it was a time of stress because I was torn in two directions," he said.
One direction meant staying at Manly, where he was widely considered the club's next halfback. At the Roosters, he had the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream and play with his brother Liam.
"All my life, all I have ever wanted to do is play with my brother and achieve that dream," he said. "On the other hand I am at a club like Manly -- a great club with great guys around me. I have a lot of respect for the club and everyone who is involved there.
"It's been extremely tough. Liam was fine about it. He just wants what's best for me. Like I said, we have long careers and hopefully we can end up playing together at some stage."
Foran's decision could be just the beginning for Manly. Test backrower Anthony Watmough could agree to a new deal as early as today while fellow internationals Glenn Stewart and Jamie Lyon are about to put pen to paper on contract extensions.
"Me and my manager Paul Sutton sat down and we thought Manly was probably better footballing-wise for my future, offered more opportunities, and I was steady there," Foran said.
"I had come in halfway through last year and things were going good. Why change? I enjoy it, I like the coaching there, I like the boys that are there."
His future settled, Foran can concentrate on winning the coveted No 7 jersey. He is locked in battle with Trent Hodkinson and Daly Cherry-Evans, with the outcome to be decided in the final trial against the Warriors.
