Kieran Foran admits it will be “astounding” to reunite with his former coach Des Hasler who he insists will provide a massive boost to the young squad at the Gold Coast Titans next year.
The 32-year-old Titans No.6 won the 2011 premiership at Manly and played his best football under dual premiership-winning coach Hasler, who has been appointed Titans coach from 2024 on a three-year deal after the sacking of former mentor Justin Holbrook on Thursday.
“Des was incredible for myself as a young player and he will be no different for these guys at a young stage of their careers,” Foran said.
“He is a father figure and has a deep love and care for all his players, and the guys here will feel that. They will take to his approach and it will only be a real positive for the club moving forward.”
Foran joined the Titans at the end of last year when Hasler was himself sacked at the Sea Eagles and replaced by Anthony Seibold.
He was asked after the Titans superb 18-12 win over Brisbane on Sunday whether he imagined in his wildest dreams that he would reunite with the coach who has had the most influence on his career.
“No. Certainly not. Never,” Foran grinned.
“It was a complete shock and quite astounding that the one guy the club went after was Des Hasler.
“Des and his record speaks for itself,” Foran added
“He has been to five grand finals. He’s won two premierships (in 2008 and 2011). He is an astute coach of rugby league who will bring all that wealth of experience onto this young, developing side and put a different spin on it. That’s down the track, but I am sure he will be starting to plan.”
Foran was recruited by the axed Holbrook and felt for him.
“Really shocked on Thursday. We turned up and the news got broken to us. It was a really challenging time for everyone involved,” Foran said.
“Justin has been incredible for this group. He is a great guy and a great coach who assembled a lot of the squad here now.
“We are paid to play rugby league and that’s what we have got to get on and do as players.
“We were able to digest what happened Thursday. We had a day off Friday and came together again for captain’s run Saturday. I had a really good feeling that the boys would put on a good showing.”
The Titans were superb against the Broncos. Foran’s combination with second-rower David Fifita was crucial to the win under the guidance of interim head coach Jim Lenihan.
“I have got a really high opinion of Jimmy as a coach and a man,” Foran said.
“He has been doing his apprenticeship as an assistant coach for a while now. He has slotted in seamlessly. The guys respect Jimmy and we are going to play for him each week.”
Foran said the Titans’ focus was finishing the year in the top eight, not Hasler’s arrival.
“That is next year,” he said.
“We’ve got 10 weeks to go and we are fully focused on finishing this year as strong as we can.”
