On May 10, 2017, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs signed Kieran Foran to a three-year deal worth $3 million, with the five-eighth to play at Belmore until the end of the 2020 season.
Today, Foran was ruled out for the next 9-12 months, and will likely finish with just 26 appearances from his three-year deal, providing he doesn't play again in 2020.
Is that value for money? No, of course not.
However, for Fox Sports' James Hooper to label this deal as "one of the worst contracts in the history of rugby league", is probably a little ridiculous too.
It's easy to say it's a poor deal now, Foran's time at the Dogs has been littered with injuries.
But at the time, it looked like one that could have been a big pay off for the Bulldogs had he lived up to expectations.
It sounds like Hooper understands that, and contradicts himself nicely with the following paragraphs:
Sure it was a risky play at the time but at his best the Kiwi Test five-eighth would have been worth every cent.
As busted as Foranโs body already was, no one knew it was going to completely break down the way that it has.
As they say James, hindsight is 20/20.
At the worst, we'll label this as negligence from the Dogs. But in reality, it's probably just a cruel bout of bad luck.
Well I suppose its Cogger to partner Lewis then. Its not a new combo considering how long much Foran has been in and out.
Latest rumor is Mitchell wants to play 5/8. Canterbury and Newcastle are favourites but Souths are in need of a 5/8 with the ball hogger Walker participating in a Uni coarse in how to share a football, and just may throw there 3hats in the ring.
Wonder how that TWlT SHADOW @ longbaybighouse is going???
At forever in his massive cell mates shadow….Bwahahahahahahahahaha
How stupid were the dogs giving Foran a $3 mill contract over 3 years, after his history of injuries and mental issues and stuff. Not to mention he hasnโt played well in like 4 years now. Foran should do the dogs a favour and medically retire. Heโs 30 and out for the year, plus heโs had a history of injuries time to just give it up, take the money and go. If he medically retired doggies can use that money to make the squad better.
I’ll disagree, to an extent with you there.
Yes, $1mil p.a over 3 years was at the top end of the risk curve based on his recent history, and obviously it didn’t pay off, but it could of, and the Dogs didn’t have a lot of options. At least it was only 3 years. That said, that’s not the part I’d disagree with so much.
His “medical retirement” is where I actually disagree.
A. Why should Foran call time if he’s not ready, if he wants to keep trying? I take my hat off to him there, and if he thinks he’s got a few more years in him he should keep giving it his best shot. It’s not his fault that’s not in the best interests of the Dogs, who rolled that dice.
B. Would it even help the Dogs? I doubt the NRL would take it off their cap because, as you rightly pointed out, of his history anyway.
swa9amuff1n – When he’s been on the park he’s been really good. The Dogs needed a first class 5/8 and there weren’t too many interested in coming at the time. Foran was still a better signing than Sharon Woods. That was a complete Joke. Hopefully the doctors can put humpty dumpty back together again.
Foran showed glimpses of his best this year and with a good pre season could have been a good leader in 2020.
Very unfortunate.
Good luck for the future.
Foran stunk at Parra, stunk at the Warriors then the bulldogs thought for some reason he was worth 1 mil a year itโs stupid.
I understand maybe the doggies needed a good five eight but this is the same doggies that let Josh Reynolds, James Graham and every other decent okay itโs had leave.
As for medical retirement your probably right about it not being cleared off the salary but burgess and the rabbits just got to clear that salary space and Burgess has had injuries before.
Yes I understand about if he feels like heโs got more to give donโt retire but thing is heโs had a great career, heโs earned a lot of money all heโs doing now is hurting his body which wonโt be good for him in the long run. Yes he may want to play on but at what point do you think gheez my bodyโs buggered in 10 years time I might not even be able to ……. he needs to think if his body is failing him now whatโs it going to be like after footy
Would be regretting leaving Manly for more money…..Latrell Mitchell, take note.