NRL rival to offer Foran a lifeline

THE Gold Coast Titans are set to make a shock play for veteran Manly playmaker Kieran Foran in a bid to bolster their struggling spine.

We can reveal the Titans have emerged as the frontrunners for Foran’s signature as three NRL rivals circle the former New Zealand Test star.

It is understood the Titans want Foran on their books from next year and are ready to table an offer to bring some playmaking experience to Parkwood following the offseason departure of halfback Jamal Fogarty to Canberra.

Should Foran opt for the Titans, he would be tasked with mentoring young halfback Toby Sexton, who has struggled under the pressure of being an NRL No.7 this year.

Foran will turn 32 in July and the Titans contract would likely be his last before he retires from the NRL.

A premiership-winning playmaker, Foran has resurrected his career at Manly over the past two seasons under coach Des Hasler, but a salary cap squeeze at Brookvale is set to force him out of the club.

The Sea Eagles have huge money invested in Daly Cherry-Evans, and the Trbojevic brothers Tom and Jake, while emerging star Josh Schuster wants to play five-eighth. And the embattled Titans are ready to pounce on Foran, who at his peak was one of the most dominant playmakers in the code.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook released seasoned playmaker and former co-captain Fogarty to Canberra this season, a decision which has backfired amid Gold Coast’s slide out of the top eight.

Sexton, 21, has struggled to improve on his rookie season without an experienced halves partner, with Holbrook now playing veteran utility Will Smith at five-eighth and shifting AJ Brimson to fullback.