New Gold Coast signing Kieran Foran emerged from a recovery session at North Burleigh beach and spoke words that will be music to the ears of Titans fans.
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"I think at 32 that I am in better shape than I ever have been," Foran told AAP on Thursday after his first official day at training.
In a wide-ranging interview with AAP, the 2011 premiership-winning playmaker spoke of his desire to win an NRL title at the Titans, and why his football and life will always be shaped by his former Manly coach Des Hasler.
When Foran left Canterbury at the end of 2020, he had not played 20 games in a year in six seasons because of a raft of injuries.
He sought opinions from experts about what parts of his body he needed to strengthen, and how.
On arrival at Manly in 2021 his mind was also clear, and he went to work with former Manly rehabilitation coach Cameron Ferguson, who is now the Titans' head of performance.
Foran played all 24 NRL games last season, after missing just two in 2021.
"I'd worked on the physical side of my footy and then with a person on the mental and psychological side, which was hugely beneficial," he said.
"So when I got back to Manly I was able to reassess again and find a consistent program that I could stick to. I worked with Cam Ferguson, who is up here at the Titans now.
"It was a stepping-stone process, but I knew at Canterbury that my body had hit breaking point and I was on my last chance."
Foran conceded that, had he got one more injury, his career may well have been over. Enter Hasler.
"No club at the end of my Canterbury deal wanted to take a punt on me other than Dessie and Manly," he said.
"My relationship with Des has been wonderful. He gave me confidence. He knows what I am and what I can bring. He reinvigorated my career.
"Des's philosophies and approach to rugby league will always be part of me. It is in my DNA. He shaped me into the footballer I am.
"Now it is about growing again under a guy like (Titans coach) Justin Holbrook and adding to my footy knowledge and experience and getting a different point of view."
Foran is not on the Gold Coast for a holiday. He has come to win.
"You want to shoot for the stars. I have done that my whole career and I will here," he said.
"At the back end of my footy career I want to be part of success. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't believe the Titans can achieve something special.
"I found over my career that playing with expectation pushes you to achieve. We want to play finals footy here. We want to win a competition."
Australian Associated Press
