Flashing a wry smile of resignation while clutching his arm, Kieran Foran vowed his latest injury turmoil would not be the end of his NRL career, as he faced the prospect of his 18th surgery.
The Gold Coast Titans veteran was forced from the field early in his side’s 26-18 Preseason Challenge triumph over the Dolphins on Saturday with a feared torn bicep and believing he would need to go under the knife to play in 2025.
Kieran Foran (third from left) has a nail-biting wait to see if he has torn his bicep.Credit: NRL Photos
If that transpires, the 34-year-old, who is off contract at season’s end, will likely be sidelined for 10 to 12 weeks, but the New Zealand international star declared he had not taken to the field for the last time.
“I’ve gotten pretty good at dealing with these setbacks, so I’ll just wait until I get it scanned and then see the damage. But at this stage, it’s looking like a bicep,” Foran said.
“It won’t be the end of me. I’ve committed to this year, I’m sticking strong to that, so if it is the worst-case scenario and surgery, then I’ll get that done and knuckle down with my rehab and attack the backend of the year.”
Foran’s frustrations were offset by the comebacks of Titans skipper Tino Fa’ausuamaleaui and Dolphins lock Tom Gilbert, with the pair playing for the first time since suffering ruptured ACLs.
While Dolphins recruit Daniel Saifiti walked off in the seventh minute grabbing at his hamstring, it is not believed to be anything sinister that will prevent him from featuring in the club’s round-one clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“I didn’t notice it at first until I saw someone else take the kick off carry,” Gilbert said of Saifiti.
“I think it’s all right. Obviously, it’s a trial match so it was precautionary, and I guess time will tell.”
Gilbert got through 30 minutes of action unscathed, finishing with 24 tackles and 56 running metres from six touches.
Tom Gilbert in action during his Dolphins return.Credit: NRL Photos
It was this time last year that the 24-year-old ruptured his ACL, having only just returned from a dislocated shoulder that prematurely ended his 2023 campaign.
“It was a big achievement to be here, it doesn’t feel real,” Gilbert said.
“I’ve always said football’s a privilege, and I haven’t had that privilege for a while, but coming into this week, I was just lucky to be here again, and I tried to enjoy every moment I could.”
Gilbert and Fa’ausuamaleaui were seen deep in conversation following the encounter at Kayo Stadium, with the State of Origin teammates reflecting on their respective journeys, intent on making their way back to “play at a high level”.
The Gold Coast enforcer ended the night with 81 running metres and two tackle busts from seven carries, along with 13 tackles, and his influence saw the Titans get on the front foot early.
That momentum enabled the side’s spine of Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson and Keano Kini to flourish, and Foran believes Fa’ausuamaleaui’s presence will lift them back to finals contention.
“He’s our alpha male, he’s our skipper, he’s our leader. Losing him last year, you can’t replace what he brings, and I think you saw tonight just his presence [was crucial],” Foran said.
“He’s a big man, he’s athletic, he’s able to attack the game in a way not many can, and put the fear into the opposition, and we’ve missed that. He didn’t look like he missed a beat.”
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