When Kieran Foran eventually tells the story of his battle with depression, which resulted in his prescription drug overdose, it will leave the sporting world gobsmacked. But he has to do it when he is ready and on his terms.
He has to be in the right place mentally, and while he is moving towards a better place, he is not there yet. He is dealing with flak and innuendo, and there are some tough days ahead.
What Foran didn't need were the heartless and irresponsible actions of a media organisation, which sank to a new low after the Eels game on Monday night.
The Eels had asked media to respect Foran as he recovers. The television networks struck a deal to allow Parramatta to film his first training session back with the club and distribute the vision for everyone to use to ease Foran in. Despite one network showing up, no one shot a frame of footage.
However, on Monday night things got rugged for Foran when a network tried to pull a swifty post-match. They sent young reporters to speak to Foran as he walked to his car after the game. The first one fronted him with a mobile phone, under the guise he wanted a selfie. It was a tactic to allow a cameraman, who was lagging behind in the pursuit of Foran, to get in position.
At first, Foran said no to the selfie request with a "not tonight mate", but then he agreed to pose for a photo. At that point, the punter who asked for the selfie turned "journalist" and started videoing the encounter. Then he stared asking questions of Foran. At that point, the cameraman came rushing towards Foran's car. Foran twigged that he had been set up and got out of there.
To say that his blood was boiling is an understatement.
Parramatta's media people quickly found out about it. It is thought Foran called them to report the matter. The Eels complained to the network, who did a quick backtrack. An apology was sent to the Eels from the head of sport but, as far as the club and Foran are concerned, the damage is done.
Replies
Not condoning these idiot journos but if Keirens blood gets boiling every time this happens his future in the game is going to be very short because the pressure is going to become to much, this has been my fear for a while with him.
He cant expect every single reporter to adhere to some sort of truce forever, hes a highly paid professional sports person and he is going to be under media pressure forever, it goes with the gig.
Its going to be worse than ever in the future as everybody will be watching, if his blood is boiling over stuff like this maybe he needs to take an extended break, not defending these journos as most are proving they are clowns but it doesnt sound like he is in a great spot or ready to play to me, he certainly wasnt last week, id prefer to see the bloke take the time out to get his head in the right space if thats whats needed, im hoping his doctors have got it right.
Fair enough snake you make some valid points but just think of some of the possible problems these reporters actions may cause in the future. Foran was nice enough to agree to the selfie but copped this instead so next time a genuine fan approaches him for a similar favour he may well tell them to p1ss off. No doubt that fan would then get on social media and tell everyone what an assh0le Foran is.
I too hope Kieran is going to be ok..
That is rough mail if he is linked Eddie..
This is all part of being a gronw up highly paid footy player.
Sake I agree with everything that you have said here. The only thing that I would add is that it is my understanding that he has only asked for three weeks. It would not hurt for the press to leave him alone for just 3 weeks I think
PS I thank you for welcomeing me onto the site the other week. I would have responded but I did not know how to. My IT skills are pretty ordinary.
Agree FME its a shitty act that could hurt the average supporter down the track, its poor form and its a pity foz might not be in the head space just to shrug it off.
I hope all NRL players get training in how to cope with and deal with the media and how to cope with the stresses that come with the game, it couldnt be easy for the young blokes.
Foran has been a high profile player for a long time now so I'd say he's had to deal with the media for quite some time but as you said he's not in a good place atm and no doubt finding it very hard to deal with these media leeches.
Agree Pauli, the journos a grub but journos love dirty tricks, its just part of the game for many, they'll do anything for a story, it has to be expected even though it doesnt make it right.
Adding up all the times Foz has been deeply upset by the media (and rightly so on plenty) somethings gonna give soon, and it wont be the media, they will only go harder in the long run especially if foz has a few skeletons in the closet and theres no doubt he has plenty.
I note infamous punter Eddie Hayson being linked to Foz in a big way, thats not me giving that mail up, its all over town, not to mention a whole host of other things on the vine that im hoping dont make the light of day, its not going to be an easy time for Foz in the future unless he gets hes head in good space.
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