Foran Legion: The Troubled Kiwis Could Be The Warriors Ultimate Lottery Ticket

The Warriors have just bought the biggest lottery NRL ticket. Its name? Kieran Foran.

Late this afternoon, the troubled former Sea Eagles and Eels standoff signed a one-year-deal with the Kiwi NRL club for the 2017 season.

Foran is fresh of a year from hell. After starting 2016 with a big money deal with the Eels, the Kiwis standoff overdose d on prescription medication in April as he suffered with the break-up of his relationship, a contract wrangle with his former club Manly and various scandals around his current club, Parramatta.

Scandals around his betting habits and controversial gambler Eddie Hayson would then dog him before a shoulder injury in June ended his season early.

The Eels would then strip him of the club captaincy after it was found he was drinking during rehabilitation. They'd cut his contract the following month.

For the majority of time since, Foran – who was born in Auckland and grew up there before moving to Australia aged ten - has been recovering in New Zealand's Queen City, under the care of his godfather. He recently started a job in retail.

A look back on Kieran Foran's horror 2016 season. Source: Youtube.

In a press statement released this evening, Foran spoke about his time away from footy this season – and why, he believes, coming back into the first-grade fold with the Warriors is the best choice for him.

"I've had a lot of time to think about my future over the last few months," Foran said.

"Initially footy was the furthest thing from my mind and I needed time away from the game. More recently the desire to play again has completely returned and I'm very keen to make a big contribution next year.

"While I had other options, coming to Auckland emerged as the best decision for me. Being in a new environment was important but I'm also incredibly excited by the potential of the club and the quality roster it has.

"I can't wait to be part of the team and I want to play a major role in 2017 in taking the club to the next level. I have so many people to thank for making this happen and for supporting me through what's been a tough period.

"Now I want to repay them. The Warriors have so much to offer and I'm looking forward to working with so many players I know from the Kiwis as well as Mooks [Stephen Kearney]."

The — Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler)September 22, 2016

The one-time star Kiwis standoff - who some believe may not be allowed back in the NRL next year due to his, at times, disturbing 2016 circumstances - looms as the ultimate rocks or diamonds signing.

Either the 26-year-old will spark with mercurial halfback Shaun Johnson, and help ignite an all-Kiwi Warriors spine that also includes Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – or he won't wrestle away the weight of various that have dogged him this year. Each is perhaps as likely as the other.

In an interesting side note, his older brother Liam is also a league player - and was the centre of a bungled attempt by the Warriors to try a lure the Kiwis standoff over to Mt Smart Stadium in 2009.

That failed miserably, resulting in a long-time Foran family dislike of the club. But that was then, and, now, the Warriors have a sharp front office led by canny Scotsman Jim Doyle – and a first-grade line-up which now has Kearney running the till.

Kearney, Foran – and a returning RTS; the Warriors chips are on the table for 2017. Whatever happens, it's going to be damn interesting.