Foran has no intention of Eels backflip

It’s been a month since Kieran Foran ended speculation about his future by announcing he’ll sign with Parramatta in 2016 and the Manly five-eighth has no intention of going back on his word.

The Kiwi playmaker admits walking away from the club he’s been associated with since his mid-teens was the toughest call he’s had to make but one he’s happy with.

“There was a bit going on with the contract decision, I’ve been at Manly since I was 16 years old and really found a home here at a place I’ve grown to love,” Foran said.

“I know as of next year I’ll be elsewhere but I am comfortable with the decision I’ve made and I’m just focused on this year now.”

Foran’s approach to his contract negotiations and the manner in which he dealt with the subsequent reaction have been in complete contrast to teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.

While the Queenslander was making well-publicised visits to Cronulla and the Gold Coast in the off-season Foran insisted on hush-hush talks with potential suitors before agreeing terms with the Eels.

He said showing respect to the club where he won a premiership in 2011 during the negotiation period was of paramount importance to him but now he’s made his decision there’s no chance of a back-flip during the round 13 cooling off period.

“It was hard keeping everything quiet with all the talk in the media but you just have to stay as professional as possible,” he said.

“Big decisions like that take time. People have to be mindful as well that it’s not an overnight decision and it’s something you do toss and turn on for a number of nights and you go back and forth.”

Cherry-Evans refused to answer questions from the media relating to reports he would renege on his move to the Titans and stay with Manly.

The 26-year-old instead made a curt statement and said there there has been no changes to his current contract situation, before criticising the media.

Foran said he’d made a point of not asking Cherry-Evans about his plans and Parramatta didn’t feel the need to ring and ask him if he was having second thoughts.

“I can’t comment on Daly’s stuff because I don’t know what’s going on,” Foran said.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about our futures and now I just want to get on and focus on this year.

“That round 13 clause was something we spoke about when doing my deal.

“It’s something we were all aware about and up front about but I haven’t had to speak to them about it since.

“As I’ve said, I have made my decision and I am happy about it.”

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