Gold Coast Titans veteran Kieran Foran has declared a former Wallaby had the makings of a league player who would one day replace him as the club’s maestro.
But that day might be years away, with the injury-plagued Foran refusing to rule out playing beyond 2025.
Carter Gordon opted to leave rugby union after the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, and take his talents to the NRL.
Carter Gordon has a history directing a team’s attack for the Wallabies, and could one day do the same in the NRL.Credit: Getty
Already the Rugby World Cup five-eighth has impressed, dominating the early preseason fitness testing while showing promising signs as the squad’s chief attacking architect.
As Foran recovered from off-season ankle surgery – the 34-year-old’s 17th time under the knife in his career – Gordon was seen working alongside Jayden Campbell in the halves, while State of Origin whiz AJ Brimson has trained at five-eighth, centre and fullback.
While the former Manly premiership-winner remained unsure of where Gordon would play – having starred in four Queensland Cup games for Tweed Seagulls at five-eighth and in the centres – Foran was adamant he had the mentality to quickly adapt in the No.7 jumper.
“You can just see how much he wants it, how much he wants to carve out a career in rugby league. I’ve got no doubt he certainly will,” Foran said.
“He’s got all the attributes it takes to make it in this game and have a long career, and I think he’s going to be a huge plus for us heading into next season.
“I’m not too sure where Carter will fit early in the season, there are options considering the amount of spine players we’ve got here.
“He’s getting plenty of reps in, and one thing I will say about Carter is he’s a really fast learner. He picks things up super quick, he’s a really intelligent young guy, and it doesn’t take him long to adjust and learn the little intricacies of the ball-playing art in rugby league.”
Foran declared he was desperate to achieve a maiden premiership for the club.
And he refused to rule out partaking in an 18th campaign to make that happen, provided his body held up.
“It’s been my last year for the last four years. Time will tell, I’ve always said I’m not going to put a finish line on it, and my body and mind will tell me when it’s time to pull up stumps,” Foran said.
“Physically I’m feeling really good. Nothing’s guaranteed in this game, but I’ll be full-bore post-Chrissy, back into the side and working extremely hard.
“I’m the incumbent No.7 … but we’ve got a number of spine players. At the end of the day, I’m a competitor, and I’m going to compete.
“The jersey will go to the player who deserves it the most and earns it.”
