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Hasler handed Foran his debut in 2009... now, they'll finish up together
Sam Kosack • September 4th, 2025 4:54 pm
After 16 years, 1 months and 30 days, Kieran Foran will play his final NRL game.
Foran will finish with 318 games and 31 tests since he debuted for the Manly Sea Eagles as a fresh faced 18-year-old.
And in a poetic way, Foran will finish up this weekend being coached by the same man who gave him his debut, Des Hasler.
Hasler handed Foran his first jersey back in 2009 playing for the Sea Eagles, where the duo went on to win a premiership in 2011.
They later re-united for Foran and Hasler’s second stints at Brookvale Oval, before one last ride together at the Gold Coast Titans.
As Hasler also prepares to coach the Titans for the last time, it could mean the pair leave the NRL together, though Hasler insists his departure from the Gold Coast won’t mark the end of his coaching career.
“It's unique, isn't it?” Foran admitted on SEN 1170 Sportsday.
“You couldn't have scripted it any better, could you?
“I mean to think that Des handed me my debut jersey as an 18-and-a-half-year-old, and all these years on, I'm going to be running out in my final game of my career with him at the helm.
“It makes me quite emotional to think that our lives have been intertwined in some way.
“As you touched on, he's been such an influential figure throughout my career.
“I remember being a young guy coming out of school straight into that first grade team at Manly and just hanging off every word he said
“Our friendship's grown over the years. It's evolved.
“It's different these days, you know, we probably have more robust conversations than most player coach relationships.
“There's an undeniable respect between the both of us and I'm so proud of what he's been able to achieve throughout his playing and coaching career, and I think he's naturally as proud as me for what I've achieved throughout mine.”
In a career defined by his toughness and grit, Foran has openly spoken about the battles with mental health, injury, and addiction he experienced across his time at five clubs.
Foran previously opened up to SEN 1170 Drive about the darkest points of his career and the pride he had of himself for persevering to still be playing now.
“The thing I’m most proud of is overcoming the fact that there was a stage of my life that I lost my way,” Foran said on SEN when he announced his retirement.
“I wasn’t the best human being, I was making poor decisions.
“To think I am able to stand here now and hold my head up high and be proud of the man and father and teammate I am, that’s the thing for me that makes me emotional.”
Former teammate and good friend Justin Horo told SEN 1170 Afternoons paid tribute to Foran ahead of his final game.
“What a stint, mate,” Horo said.
“When I returned from playing over in the Super League, it was in and around the end of his tenure at the Bulldogs and I remember him having a chat to me (saying) ‘the body's busted, I’m done, my head’s not in it anymore’”.
“To be able to get from that point, and I love where he's at now in that part of his life where he's able to tell these stories about his journey.
“That was 7 or 8 years ago.
“He’s everyone’s favourite teammate. He’s tough as nails, he’s just a good human to be around.
“I know (Foran and Hasler) have got a really close relationship, probably more so than any other coach to player relationship that I’ve seen before.
“The circumstances aren't great for Dessie, but there's a part of it (that’s a) bit poetic, that those two could potentially be going out together at the same time.”
Foran and Hasler will be hoping to avoid the wooden spoon, needing a win over the Wests Tigers to put them above the Newcastle Knights, who will also need a win in the final game of the year against the Parramatta Eels
