"He has been the guy that’s back me": Foran on his bond with Des

• Foran plays his 310th game this weekend
• Played with five NRL clubs
• This will be his 17th and final season
• Has faced significant adversity

An emotional Kieran Foran says overcoming his addiction and mental health demons is the proudest moment of his career after announcing his retirement.

After an incredible 17 seasons, the 34-year-old confirmed that 2025 would be his last, but as he paid tribute to those that have helped him on his journey, Foran did not shy away from the darkness he has endured.

“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 told SEN's The Run Home. “I wasn’t the best human being, I was making poor decisions.

“I was battling addictions issues.

“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.”

Lauded as one of the greatest Kiwi halves, Foran faced significant adversity through his career which almost came to a premature end in the hellish year of 2016.

Named as the new captain of the Eels a promising season almost turned to tragedy when Foran was rushed to hospital on April 28 after overdosing on prescription medication.

Having been granted indefinite leave to recover, there were widespread reports he had been struggling to handle the pressure of football and had recently split with the mother of his children.

Foran was also reportedly caught up in a sponsorship dispute with former club Manly to the tune of $140,000.

Things got worse just weeks later when he launched legal proceedings against radio host Jackie O for a degrading comment she had made about him and his former partner about the paternity of their second child.

In May of 2016, Foran made more headlines for reports he had lost $75,000 in a gambling binge and just a month later, his season was prematurely ended by a shoulder injury.

It was at this stage he suggested he may walk away from the sport entirely.

Thankfully, a few months away gave him time to consider his options and Foran signed with the Warriors for a year, and he began his next journey.

It proved a turning point for Foran who went from the Warriors to the Bulldogs, back to Manly before signing with the Titans, his fifth and final club.

Since facing his demons, Foran has become a vocal advocate for mental health and helping men in particular to reach out for help.

Heading into retirement, Foran says it will remain one of his priorities.

“The awards and accolades that’s great but becoming the best version of yourself is what it’s about,” he said.

“Overcoming the biggest difficulties in life. I don’t want to see lives lost to those situations. I don’t want people to feel like it’s time to give up. You can come out of the other side and feel proud.

“The mental health stuff is something I am extremely passionate about. I have been very open on that and touching on my own life’s challenges. Battles that I have faced personally. I want to help young guys not feel alone.”

Foran is set to play his 310th NRL game this weekend on what will also be his 35th birthday.

Reflecting on his career which started with Manly back in 2009, Foran said he was humbled by the reaction to his announcement which had left him “an anxious mess” in the lead up.

Explaining what had led him to finally pull the trigger, Foran said: “I spent the bye weekend coming to the decision and felt like it’s the right time and focus on what’s next.

“I had a big ankle surgery at the end of last season and it took me four-and-a-half months to rehab. Then I ruptured my bicep and was out 11 weeks so I had a tough start.

“I thought I’d get back from the bicep and feel how my body is holding up.

“Having the bye allowed me some time to reassess and see where I was at. I felt like it would be right to finish this year and a stretch too far to play on beyond this year. It’s always hard.

"Rugby league is what I’ve done my whole life, but you have to weigh up where you’re at and I feel like the time has come.”

Foran also paid tribute to Des Hasler who has been a pivotal figure throughout his career but more so through the rough times.

“Des shaped the footballer I am,” he said. “There was a time I was written off and many said I didn’t have petrol left in the tank. He has been the guy that’s back me.

"When I’ve said I have more in me he has believed me.”