‘I hope I can save a life, or inspire just one person to keep fighting’: Inside league’s greatest comeback

Kieran Foran tries not to dwell on those dark days when things got really bad.

He was at his worst in 2016. In April of that year, he tried to take his own life by overdosing on painkillers.

Then Parramatta coach Brad Arthur still remembers one particular night when Foran was in a terrible state.

“I was on the phone to him back and forth from midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am ... when I went to get him, I wasn’t sure if he was going to be alive,” Arthur recalls.

“His life was a mess. He had some bad things going on in his life he struggled to deal with, then he got injured. I never thought he would play again at the highest level, let alone playing as well as he is now.

“He’s always had that fight in him. That’s why he’s still going. You can’t knock him down; you can’t keep him down.”

Foran celebrates 300 NRL games on Sunday when he leads the Gold Coast Titans into action against St George Illawarra in Wollongong.

In a hard man’s game, few are as tough as Foran. Even fewer have experienced such turbulent times off the field.

The 34-year-old has taken plenty of time to reflect on his career this week. He knows it all could have ended eight years ago. There was the depression, addiction, and a heart-wrenching relationship breakdown.

Arthur is one man who has been in Foran’s thoughts.

“At that time I didn’t want to be alive, let alone play footy,” Foran says. “Nobody would have known the depths of what I was going through more than Brad back then [in 2016], and he was exposed to it all.

“That was a lot for someone to take on and deal with. To see someone’s world just fall apart the way mine was, and to try and scramble and keep it all together and get up, whilst being a head coach and being a father … Brad’s family opened their doors to me.”

Foran quit the game later that year to take care of his mental health.

He returned in 2017 to play for the Warriors after answering a phone call from New Zealand boss Jim Doyle, then signed a three-year, $3 million deal with Canterbury. But Foran experienced constant injuries that would have forced most players to pull the pin.

He never played more than 14 games in a season during his three years with the Dogs.

Resilience is one word Foran likes to use, and, as he celebrates his special milestone, would love it if his story inspired the next generation of NRL players – and even saved just one young player who felt like they had hit rock bottom.

“I hope this week gives people who are not naturally gifted, or those who are going through off-field struggles – everyone experiences these lows in their life – some inspiration,” Foran says.

“I hope I can save a life, or inspire just one person to keep fighting and keep going to come out the other side.

“I’ve shown you can come back from the depths of despair. I was there. I battled addiction, I battled depression and mental health, I battled personal issues in my life, and I was battling injuries.

“But you become resilient, and you’re able to handle things better. That’s what I’ve done. I still face challenges every day, but I know how to get through life better and excel under pressure.

“That’s what I’m really proud of, and that’s what stands out about [300 games].

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s if you’re prepared to work hard enough at something, and you’re prepared to push yourself to those dark places, and grit your teeth, inevitably you will create your own luck.

“That’s what I’ve done, despite the constant challenges and setbacks. I’ve just kept pushing and working hard, and when you do that, the wheel will turn. It has to. And it has for me.”

Foran nominated Arthur, New Zealand coach Michael Maguire and current coach Des Hasler, who he played under twice at Manly, as three of the most influential coaches in his career.

His relationship with Hasler was captured beautifully by the Titans this week when they filmed the pair watching Foran’s debut against Canberra.

Hasler kept referring to Foran as “Benjamin Button” because he “looked 100″ when only 18. Hasler signed off by saying: “Not bad for a debut: one try, one try assist, six head-high tackles and who would think there would be 299 more games – unbelievable.”

Foran cut his teeth in the NRL alongside established Manly stars Anthony Watmough, Jamie Lyon and the Stewart brothers, Glenn and Brett, who all played the game tough. The playmaker has that old-school grit and always digs deep into the defensive line.

Foran would run through brick walls for Hasler, Arthur or Maguire, and is often praised for trying to inspire his teammates to do likewise in the heat of battle. His influence over a young Titans group is not lost on Hasler and club officials.

Once Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns, and Keano Kini, Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira have another full season under their belts, the Titans will be serious finals contenders in 2025.

One person Foran singled out for special praise was his wife, Karina.

Karina came into his life in 2016 when all seemed lost. The pair endured further heartbreak last November when Karina’s son, Logan, took his own life.

Logan flew to Melbourne for Foran’s 250th NRL game, and spoke to Foran several times last year about how cool it would be to finally celebrate and have a well-earned beer for his 300th.

“What Karina has gone through the last nine months, she is such a strong person, and I wouldn’t be playing today without her in my life,” Foran says.

“She came into my life at my lowest point. She’s rebuilt me, along with others. Nobody deserves as much credit as she does. She’s kept me going when it got too hard at times. And there have been plenty of dark times I’ve questioned myself whether to keep going.

“I know Logan always spoke about my 300th, how we’d celebrate and have a beer. There will be an emotional moment at some stage this week.”

Foran looks banged up most weeks, but said he had not received a single painkilling injection this season. Last year, however, he needed four needles every week – in the toe, foot, sternum and finger – just to take the field from round nine.

Test football with the Kiwis potentially awaits Foran at the end of this season. He has one more year for the Titans before a likely move into coaching. He already conveys Hasler’s messages to the group in a clear and concise fashion.

The first 150 games for Foran went by so fast. The second 150 have been a slog, but also the most rewarding. Foran would not have it any other way.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a mental health professional or contact a crisis support service. In Australia, you can call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or 13YARN for 24/7 support.

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