Jones: ‘I can see the hunger in him again’
By Tony Adams
December 2, 2016
NEW ZEALAND’S greatest modern player Stacey Jones has taken Kieran Foran under his wing and is preparing the troubled star for his much-anticipated return to football.
Foran’s life unravelled in 2016, with the former Manly and Parramatta star revealing he attempted suicide after the breakup of his family and had issues with depression.
But Jones, a Kiwi icon, has taken a personal interest in Foran since his decision to link with the Warriors and believes the strife-torn playmaker is ready to turn the corner.
“Kieran has had a rough year, no doubt about it,” Jones says.
“But we have had some good, long talks and he’s in much better shape mentally and physically. He’s ticking all the right boxes and is hungry to play footy again after his rough trot.
“I can see the hunger in him again – at the end of the day, he’s a football player, he wants to play footy.”
Jones believes despite his problems, Foran is just what the Warriors needed to gain the hard edge the team has lacked for several seasons.
“We all know he’s tough and he’s a competitor and to be honest, that is probably something this club has lacked for a while,” says Jones.
“It’s a massive opportunity for him and he’s ready to grab it.”
Another former Warriors skipper, Monty Betham, also sees Foran as a potential saviour for the Kiwi side.
“I like everything about his game. He leads by example, knows how to boss a game and will set the tone with or without the ball when his side needs it,” says Betham.
“He’s just what the Warriors need and he’ll take some of the pressure off Shaun Johnson’s shoulders.”
